On the final apply earlier than the lengthy weekend, OG Isaac Seumalo suffered a pectoral damage. Luckily he prevented something main, however the ramifications might have been fairly vital for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line had he missed your complete season. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac believes that it might have resulted in first-round OT Troy Fautanu being moved to protect.
“If Seumalo’s damage required surgical procedure and precipitated him to overlook your complete season, it’s possible the Steelers would have moved Fautanu to protect,” Dulac wrote through Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette. “However, within the brief time period, they don’t have plans to try this.”
Fautanu suffered an damage of his personal through the preseason opener. It was reportedly only a delicate MCL sprain, nevertheless it compelled him to overlook the remainder of the preseason.
On this hypothetical situation, Fautanu transferring to protect would put a pressure on the depth all throughout the offensive line. The deal with place had good depth after drafting two within the first spherical of the final two drafts. Additionally they had Dylan Cook dinner, however he was positioned on IR designated to return. The middle place is skinny proper now with Nate Herbig’s damage. A protracted-term Seumalo damage possible would have referred to as for out of doors assist.
It additionally would have muddied the waters with Fautanu and his long-term growth as a deal with. The Steelers insisted they drafted him to be a deal with again when he was drafted. This was regardless of many draft consultants dubbing him a guard as a result of he’s somewhat brief for an NFL deal with, although his arm size makes up for it.
Fortunately, we don’t must go down that rabbit gap with Seumalo anticipated to be out 3-4 weeks. To date, they haven’t positioned him on IR, which is sweet information for a potential fast return.
Seumalo is predicted to begin training on Monday nearly a full month after his damage. At one level, Dulac reported that Troy Fautanu was anticipated to be the Week 1 starter, however his gradual return to apply leaves that up within the air. He’ll must be a full participant once they start training this week to have an opportunity, however it should possible be Dan Moore Jr. on the left facet and Broderick Jones on the proper.