Max Iheanachor Is Injured, and Mike McCarthy Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud About His Week 1 Role

The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t named a starter at a crucial offensive position, but head coach Mike McCarthy pretty much spilled the beans on Monday about why rookie Max Iheanachor isn’t getting that nod for Week 1. It’s the ugly truth no one wants to hear, but McCarthy laid it all out there about Iheanachor’s missed time due to injury, flat out saying it’ll be tough to throw him into a starting spot this early.

Injuries Kill Rookie Chances, Plain and Simple

McCarthy didn’t pull any punches when talking to reporters about Iheanachor. “Well, I mean, he’s an injured player,” McCarthy said. No kidding, coach. He went on to emphasize that players miss games for injuries, or other “business situations,” and then hammered home the core issue for rookies. “Availability and accountability are the most important parts of this, and being available every single day is huge, especially if you’re a rookie.” Ouch. That’s a direct hit on Iheanachor’s situation.

Look, you can tell McCarthy sees the talent. He even added, “There’s so much to love about Max just in the time he’s been out there. It’s impressive. Make no doubt about that, he can play.” But then came the kicker, the part that seals it for Week 1: “But he hasn’t played.” You can have all the talent in the world, but if you’re not on the field, it doesn’t matter. For a rookie trying to establish himself, missing reps is a death blow to early season opportunities.

Dylan Cook Is Stepping Up for Week 1

So, if Iheanachor is out of the picture for now, who’s getting those crucial first-team reps? McCarthy might not have officially declared a starter for Week 1, but he did let slip that Dylan Cook has been seeing “most of the reps” as the first-team right tackle. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to read between those lines.

Considering everything McCarthy said about Iheanachor’s injury hindering his availability, and Cook soaking up all that practice time, it’s pretty much a done deal. Dylan Cook is going to get the starting nod in Week 1, even if the team wants to play coy for a little longer. It’s tough for Iheanachor, but in the NFL, the next man up has to be ready, and Cook clearly is. Week 1 is just around the corner, and the Steelers are going with the guy who’s been available, plain and simple.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.