Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier did not suffer any structural damage in his injured left ankle and is considered week-to-week, according to a report by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher-Report. Frazier has started all six games this season and has posted an impressive 82.2 Pro Football Focus grade.
This is great news for the Steelers, as they’ve been decimated with injuries on the offensive line this season. Outside of Dan Moore Jr., the entire starting offensive line has been hindered with injuries. The unit has already lost Troy Fauntau and James Daniels to season-ending injuries.
Frazier suffered the left ankle injury in Sunday’s 32-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Frazier was blocking on a run play and got rolled up on. Evan Washburn said on the CBS broadcast that Frazier took some snaps with Russell Wilson on the sideline and wanted to go back in, but the medical staff held him out.
Ryan McCollum replaced Frazier at center. On the first play after Frazier’s injury, Najee Harris rushed for a 36-yard touchdown off the left side on a toss to advance the Steelers’ lead to 22-7.
McCollum will get the start at center if Frazier can’t go on Sunday night against the New York Jets.
In a recent ESPN poll, Frazier ranked sixth among all NFL rookies. The poll took the opinion of five NFL analysts, including ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid.
“Entering the 2024 draft, it was clear that the Steelers had a huge need at center after releasing Mason Cole in January,” Reid wrote in the poll.
“Pittsburgh found that immediate answer in the second round, as Frazier has arguably been the best rookie offensive lineman of this class. In five starts, Frazier has the 20th-best PBWR (pass block win-rate). The instincts, strength, and toughness he showcased at West Virginia have all carried over early in his pro career.”