The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face the Atlanta Falcons for their season opener. Both teams have played against each other 18 times, as the Steelers have won 15 games, while the Falcons have won two, with one tie. The over/under is set at 42 points, while the Falcons are favored by three.
The Steelers hope Russell Wilson brings them playoff success. Their last playoff win came in 2016, and they have lost five consecutive postseason games. Week 1 will be more difficult since their best offensive lineman will not play.
The Pittsburgh Steelers interior offensive lineman suffered a pectoral injury
Left guard Isaac Seumalo exited last Wednesday’s practice with a pectoral injury, fearing he suffered a tear. The Steelers received good news after tests determined that he suffered a strained pectoral instead of a tear and faces a four-to-six-week recovery time.
Isaac Seumalo will miss Week 1
Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that Seumalo won’t play this week, but they received encouraging news regarding his pectoral injury. His injury is week to week, and he believes he’ll return soon.
“Isaac can be described as out this week, but we did get good news regarding his pec injury. We’ll characterize it as week to week and we’ll see where next week leads us. But really optimistic about his return sooner rather than later.”
Mike Tomlin on Isaac Seumalo injury status: “Isaac can be described as out this week, but we did get good news regarding his pec injury. We’ll characterize it as week to week and we’ll see where next week leads us. But really optimistic about his return sooner rather than later.”…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 3, 2024
Who will start Week 1?
Mike Tomlin confirmed to reporters that Spencer Anderson will start at left guard in Week 1. Anderson played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, playing all five positions, mostly at right tackle in his five seasons. The Steelers drafted him 251st overall in last year’s draft. He spent the offseason as the backup to Seumalo throughout training camp.
Tomlin praised Anderson for his versatility and compared him to former Steeler offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum.
“His versatility was a calling card that allowed him to sustain, but the longer he’s here, you’d better specialize in a certain area,” Tomlin said of Anderson, who has lined up at all five line positions in practice and the preseason. “Really his growth and development kind of reminds me a lot of Kelvin Beachum, if you remember years ago. Versatility was kind of his calling card, but then he settled into the tackle position and went on to — Beach might still be playing. I think he is.
“Spence will be fortunate if he has a Kelvin Beachum-like story.”
