Updated Sunday: Running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson has been downgraded to out for Monday night’s game. In addition, quarterback Justin Fields has been added to the injury report, questionable with a hamstring.
Saturday injury report: The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants and once again the team will be without one of their starting offensive linemen.
Center Zach Frazier has been ruled out for the game, as has linebacker Nick Herbig and receiver Roman Wilson.Running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who was limited on Saturday, is doubtful for the game.
With Frazier out due to his ankle injury, it will once again be Ryan McCollum who gets the start at center for the second straight week.
The line has been the one area on the team hit the hardest by injuries this season, with five different starting lineup combinations through seven games.
If there is anywhere on the team the next man up mentality has been adopted, it’s on the line.
“It’s crazy when you think about it,” said tackle Dan Moore Jr. “I mean, how many guys we’ve had go down since camp. It’s really crazy. But it’s also even crazier to see young guys like Mason (McCormick), who weren’t necessarily thinking they were going to be starters, and they have stepped in and done a great job. And I think they’re getting better every single week.
And me personally, just knowing Ryan, his background, I’ve got high expectations for him. Just the type of demeanor that he has, the way he approaches each and every day.
“Ryan’s also an older guy. This is his fourth year in the league. My expectation is for him to do that every single week because I know he can.
“We’ve just got to keep building off of it. And that’s leaders, myself and Isaac (Seumalo), just have to keep instilling confidence in him and making sure that he has what he needs.”
Seumalo himself missed the first four games of the regular season with a pectoral injury and has been extremely proud of the way the linemen have stepped up, something he said is instilled in the entire team.
“It starts with Coach (Mike) Tomlin,” said Seumalo. “He sets the tone for the team and the culture that he wants. It’s constantly repeating the same things because he wants us to have some permanence in our culture and what he says and he’s always saying, next man up.
“It’s an opportunity. I think guys, true professionals, know that regardless of circumstance or position, I need to be physically and mentally ready every single day because my name could get called at any time. I think a lot of these guys have taken that to heart and it’s been cool to see.”
Seumalo hates to see the injuries that have plagued the line this year, including to the players on either side of his locker – James Daniels and Troy Fautanu – but he understands it’s something that comes with the game.
“In terms of O-line health, keeping the same guys for the whole year or relatively the whole year is extremely uncommon and rare,” said Seumalo. “You look across the league, the O-line room, it’s matter of when, not if but when.
“My heart does break for the lockers next to me for sure. But it’s not surprising. This is a violent sport and it’s part of the game. We try to minimize the risk of injury as much as we can. But at the end of the day, it’s why we wear pads and helmets. It’s part of the game.
“And the standard is still the standard when you go out on the field.”
At the linebacker spot, having a healthy Alex Highsmith is a massive benefit for the defense with Herbig still sidelined. Highsmith returned against the Jets after missing three games with a groin injury.
“I definitely feel like I made it through well,” said Highsmith of the Jets game. “Definitely pretty sore for not playing for a few weeks. I feel really good. I was on more of a limited snap count this past week.
“I feel like I am getting really close to 100 percent. It feels great to be back out there, being with the guys. Looking forward to getting better every week. Just continue to rehab and stay on top of it so nothing else happens.”
Linebacker Tyler Matakevich and offensive lineman Dylan Cook, who are both in the 21-day window to return from the Reserve/Injured List, have also been ruled out.