Schefter: OG Isaac Seumalo apparently suffered chest injury during training

On the final day of practice before the weekend break leading up to the first week of the regular season, OG Isaac Seumalo suffered a pectoral injury, according to Adam Schefter on X.

According to Schefter’s report, Seumalo was forced to leave practice due to the injury and is now undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury. If he misses a time, second-year OG Spencer Anderson or rookie OG Mason McCormick would likely play in his spot at left guard. Seumalo was the Steelers’ best and most consistent offensive lineman last season, so this would be a significant blow to the offensive line and the offense as a whole. He was recently named one of the 10 best guards in the NFL by OL guru Brandon Thorn.

Dr. Melanie Friedlander gave her expert medical opinion. She will post a full explanation on the site once a clearer diagnosis is made in the coming days.

Seumalo is the most experienced player on an offensive line that features a bunch of first- or second-year players. If he is forced to miss time, the Steelers would be going from a 30-year-old veteran to a 24-year-old player with either McCormick or Anderson. Anderson is usually the first one off the bench to replace Seumalo, so that could be the plan. I wouldn’t be surprised to see McCormick eventually replace him in the starting lineup, as the Steelers have reportedly been impressed with McCormick throughout the spring and summer.

Seumalo sat out multiple practices during training camp. Mike Tomlin often gives players veterans days off, and Seumalo was one of them.

If Seumalo is out for the season or longer, the offensive line would consist of four players who are 25 or younger and then James Daniels, who is 26. It would likely be one of the youngest offensive lines in the league. Previously, regardless of tackle configuration, all young players had Seumalo or Daniels next to them to ensure that there was a veteran to help them. Now, the left side of the offensive line may be very inexperienced.

The good news is that the Steelers used three of their first five draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on the offensive line. They’re in a better position to deal with an injury than they otherwise would be. But there’s no getting around the impact it could have on the line.