Mike Tomlin Gives Hope for Four Injured Players vs. Falcons

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said during his Tuesday’s press conference that offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (knee), running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring), cornerback Cory Trice (groin) and wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) could all play in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Tomlin said all four players participated in practice on Monday.

Tomlin ruled left guard Isaac Seumalo (pec) out for this week and called him week-to-week going forward. Seumalo is expected to be out 3-4 weeks with a pectoral muscle strain.

Tomlin said he’s optimistic that Seumalo will be back “sooner rather than later.” Seumalo suffered the pectoral injury at practice last Wednesday. The Steelers have a pair of promising young players at guard behind Seumalo, in 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson and 2024 fourth-round selection Mason McCormick.

Tomlin confirmed that Anderson will start at left guard on Sunday.

Anderson, who played all over the line as a rookie last season, mostly honed in on the guard position this training camp and thrived, playing his best football in a Steelers uniform. The Steelers are also high on McCormick, a longtime starter at South Dakota State who played a ton of college football and is very experienced for a rookie.

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo at training camp on July 30, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Warren (hamstring) confirmed to Brooke Pryor of ESPN that he’ll be ready to go for the season opener against the Falcons.

Warren told Pryor that he did individuals and special teams work in practice on Monday, and he anticipates joining team periods on Wednesday.

Warren suffered the hamstring injury after catching a pass from Russell Wilson in the second quarter of the Steelers’ second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 17. He gained 12 yards on the play, twisting through a tackle from Rasul Douglas and Joel Andreessen before being dragged to the ground.

Warren walked off the field and was evaluated in the medical tent on the Pittsburgh sideline before walking down the steps to the Steelers locker room. He ultimately was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Tomlin held Warren out of his team’s final preseason game against the Detroit Lions, but said he doesn’t expect it to be a long-term absence.

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu expects to practice this week and hopes to be active for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8. Fautanu sustained an MCL sprain in the first preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9.

“They told me the schedule is looking to practice next week if everything goes to plan,” Fautanu said after last Wednesday’s practice. “Starting on Monday (I’ll practice), but we’ll see from there how these next couple days go doing rehab.”

“For sure, I want to be a resource to the team, and whatever position they have me playing in terms of how much I am playing is up to them,” Fautanu added when asked if he’s hopeful of playing in the season opener.

Tomlin said the Steelers will determine who starts at tackle depending on how Fautanu practices this week.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.