Steelers Starting Offensive Lineman Suffers Injury
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Monday that starting right guard Mason McCormick suffered a broken left hand in Saturday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
McCormick will be fitted for a cast or brace. They will see how he functions in practice to see his availability. It appears that he’ll be questionable to begin the week.
The Steelers are a relatively healthy unit heading into Saturday night’s Wild Card Round game against the Baltimore Ravens. Cornerback Donte Jackson (back) was the only starter held out for the regular-season finale.
Tomlin said Jackson (back) feels good, but he’ll be monitored. Second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. will start if Jackson can’t go. Spencer Anderson will fill in for McCormick if he’s inactive.
Tomlin said Cam Heyward remains sick. He did not attend the team meeting on Monday.
“I have the flu,” Heyward said after Saturday’s game when asked about his health near the end of availability. “It started last night and I’ve just been dealing with it.”
The virus-ridden Cam Heyward notched only one tackle on the night, his fewest in any game this season. He pawed away three passes — a single-game career-high and the most by any NFL defensive lineman this season — as he and his teammates had tried all night to get after Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. They got to him four times. Most others, he found an uncovered receiver, going 37 for 46 for 277 yards and a touchdown toss to Ja’Marr Chase.
Despite four straight losses heading into the playoffs, Heyward is confident in the unit.
“I’m confident,” Heyward said with a half-laugh, dropping a hint as to his condition by clarifying why he wasn’t particularly pounding the table. “I’m sorry I don’t have the energy behind this, but I’m very confident in the group. As a professional, you work your ass off to be ready week in and week out. You have belief in the group, and that’s all that matters.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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