The pressure was already on the offensive line ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 home opener. However, the injury bug bit again, with rookie Troy Fautanu tweaking his knee during Friday’s practice. The offensive line has been a contentious point in Pittsburgh throughout 2024, but now the unit has to rise above the circumstances.
Pittsburgh Steelers Lose Troy Fautanu To Injury
Troy Fautanu had dealt with knee issues during Pittsburgh’s 2024 training camp and preseason, but he looked poised to settle into the right tackle spot for the foreseeable future. However, his designation is officially reported as out for Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Nick Herbig suffered a season-ending injury early in camp, and Isaac Seumalo is recovering from a pectoral injury, making Fautanu the third significant lineman that the Steelers will be without in 2024.
Pressure Off The Edge
Sunday isn’t just Pittsburgh’s home opener; it also represents the first significant test of the 2024 campaign. Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers’ head coach, matches up incredibly well with Mike Tomlin’s football team. Both rely on defense and the running game to dictate the contest, but Pittsburgh could be concerned about the Los Angeles pass rush.
Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones will be tasked with holding Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa off the edges of the Chargers’ defense. Justin Fields will be getting his third consecutive start for the Steelers, and his ability to escape the pocket could be crucial. Jones has struggled in preseason and the limited action he has seen in the 2024 regular season, so all eyes will be on the second year player to see how he stands up in the face of so much responsibility.
Impact On The Running Game?
The impact of Fautanu’s injury isn’t only on Pittsburgh’s ability to pass protect, considering how often the Pittsburgh Steelers run the ball. Despite leaning heavily toward the rushing attack, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson have been fighting off defenders in the backfield consistently. The interior of Pittsburgh’s offensive line will be relied on to spread the burden across the entire unit because as high-scoring and offense-focused as most of the NFL has become, Sunday’s battle against Los Angeles should be a throwback to the old-school, smashmouth football that the Steelers built a reputation on.
Final Thoughts
The Chargers also have injury issues, with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert unsure about his availability. With Fields already starting and Herbert nursing an ankle injury, it could end up being a game of depth, which means both offensive lines must be fully prepared for a long, difficult contest. Sunday’s meeting in Pittsburgh was supposed to be a low-scoring affair before Fautanu’s injury, and that expectation shouldn’t change much. The defense will still rule the day, but both teams could prioritize a more conservative approach considering the circumstances.
Jones is getting the chance to put the mistakes of early 2024 behind him and prove that his first-round selection wasn’t a reach by Pittsburgh. The next man-up mentality is preached throughout the league, and Sunday’s 2024 home opener for the Pittsburgh Steelers should put that on full display one way or the other.
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