J.C. Hassenauer Gets Third Straight Start for Steelers at Center

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — J.C. Hassenauer started at center for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

It’s the third consecutive start for Hassenauer, who seems to have usurped Kendrick Green for the starter’s role at the position.

Green has been bothered by a calf injury suffered in Week 16 at Kansas City and missed the team’s Week 17 game against Cleveland due to the injury. He then spent most of the following week on the COVID-19 reserve list and backed up Hassenauer at Baltimore in Week 18.

But Green was a full participant in the team’s practices this week leading up to the playoff visit to Kansas City, and Hassenauer has not yielded his starting spot. 

Hassenauer is in his third season with the Steelers. He spent 2019 on the practice squad before earning a roster spot as a backup at center and guard last season. This year, he started one game at guard before suffering an injury. When he returned, he backed up Green until getting the opportunity to fill in.

Green, the team’s third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, might be looking at a possible position switch to guard in his future.