Nate Herbig spent coaching camp atop the Steelers’ middle depth chart, however he will likely be unavailable for a stretch. The sixth-year blocker is coping with a “important” shoulder damage, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Herbig will miss regular-season time, Dulac provides. Because of this, the 26-year-old is now not in competition to be tapped because the starter within the center for Week 1. Second-round rookie Zach Frazier will as an alternative deal with these duties, as he could have in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the 2024 marketing campaign anyway. The West Virginia product was one among three draft investments up entrance made by Pittsburgh in April.
The primary of these was Troy Fautanu, chosen twentieth total. The Washington alum is about to handle right tackle duties right away, thus permitting 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones to maneuver to the blindside. Frazier can have a restricted interval to log first-team reps in observe and the preseason earlier than taking up beginning obligations within the fall. For Herbig, the damage information leaves him sidelined for the beginning of his second season with the staff.
The previous Eagle and Jet signed a two-year, $8M deal final offseason. That pact allowed him to play in each common and postseason sport throughout his debut Steelers season, making a pair of begins. Herbig performed at left and proper guard (his most acquainted positions), however not at middle throughout that point. With Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels in place at each guard spots, although, he spent this summer time making ready to log a starter’s workload on the pivot.
Now, Herbig’s consideration will flip to restoration as he enters a contract 12 months. If Frazier performs properly instantly, he’ll cement his standing because the Steelers’ middle of the current and future. That might assist the probabilities of Herbig departing in free company subsequent March (as Mason Cole did this previous offseason), though he may nonetheless be counted on in a depth capability as soon as wholesome.
