Steelers Finally Get Good Injury News on Offensive Line

PITTSBURGH — When speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was optimistic about the return of veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo for Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Seumalo, who suffered a pectoral injury during practice on Aug. 28, has missed the first four games. His initial timetable to return was 3-4 weeks.

“Excited about the potential of having Isaac back … real shot to make it this time,” Tomlin said.

Seumalo attempted to return last week but was downgraded to out on Saturday. He had been a limited participant in all three practice sessions after not participating in any practices the first three weeks.

Second-year offensive lineman Spencer Anderson started the first three games at left guard in place of Seumalo, but he yielded some playing time to rookie Mason McCormick in Week 3. McCormick started at left guard on Sunday, while Anderson replaced James Daniels at right guard early in the first quarter after he went down with a torn Achilles injury. Daniels will be out for the rest of the season.

Rookie Mason McCormick is expected to start at right guard on Sunday against the Cowboys. Spencer Anderson will get the nod at left guard if  Seumalo is not ready to return. Tomlin was pleased with how both young guards played against the Colts.

“Double thumbs up on both guys,” Tomlin said.

Seumalo coming back this week would be a big boost for an offensive line that’s been decimated by injuries.

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

Seumalo, 30, joined the Steelers in 2023 after spending the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He stated 60 of 81 games over seven seasons in Philly. In his first season with the Steelers, Seumalo played exceptionally well. In his 1,038 offensive snaps Seumalo only committed one penalty and did not allow a single sack. He started all 17 regular season games and the AFC Wild Card game at left guard.

In 2020, Seumalo missed a portion of the year due to a knee injury but did start all nine contests that he appeared in at left guard. The next season, Seumalo started the first three games of the season but was injured and missed the rest of the season.

After two injury-rattled seasons, Seumalo started all 17 games and helped the Eagles make the Super Bowl. Seumalo played his second-most snaps in his career with all 1,135 of them coming at right guard. Seumalo enjoyed the best season of his career as he only allowed one sack all year.

Suemalo earned the highest PFF rating (75.2) of his career as he played at an above-average to elite level in 2022. For his play, Seumalo was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Seumalo became an unrestricted free agent following the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.