PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Injured during the first full week of training camp with what is believed to be a neck or shoulder issue, Steelers first-round pick Max Iheanachor went through a full practice in full pads on Monday.
The team had only two preseason practices remaining before Monday, and that work on the South Side was physical and Iheanachor didn’t miss any of the drills. The door is open for Iheanachor to play in the final preseason game at Buffalo Thursday night.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said he wanted to watch him closely during both practices Monday and Tuesday and after then will be able to see if he would be able to play Thursday.
“So, we’ll see how it goes,” McCarthy said.
“I feel like starting with today, coming out to practice, I was excited about that and just focus on tomorrow until game day,” Iheanachor said not confirming if he will or would like to play Thursday.
It’s been a couple of weeks since Iheanachor went through a full practice.
“A little bit frustrated but just trying to stay focused and control what I can control,” Iheanachor said.
During the time he missed practice, Iheanachor stood with the offensive line trying to pick up whatever he could without being on the field.
“They do a good job, I try to learn from them every day,” Iheanachor said of his teammates. “I think they do the little things right. They come out with great intensity and work, just trying to pick up the little stuff every day.”
The 2026 first-round pick said the offensive line did a phenomenal job checking in with him after the injury. Before, Iheanachor grabbed a lot of attention with his ability to more than hold his own in individual drills at St. Vincent College against the Steelers main outside linebackers.
“I think I was doing some stuff right, but there was a lot of stuff that I could get better when you go back and assess the film and try to come out every day and pick something to focus on and work on,” Iheanachor said Monday.
He believes he really can improve everything at this point from his steps to details on run and pass blocking. The goal is to just get better.
There is the potential if he plays Thursday and shows up well he could still be in the mix to be the opening day starter at right tackle. That job has been held by Dylan Cook the entire offseason with Broderick Jones working there a little before and the main guy after Iheanachor’s injury.
Back on the field, it’s now up to the rookie to prove it.
Frustrated after the injury, Steelers say he could play Thursday
Frustrated after the injury, Steelers say he could play Thursday
