The Steelers’ offensive line just got a curveball nobody saw coming after beat writer Mark Kaboly dropped a bombshell Wednesday: starting right guard Spencer Anderson is reportedly dealing with a bone chip in his right leg, and he’s planning to “fight through the pain to play.” Anderson somehow remains off the official injury report, which is wild, but Wednesday’s practice snaps tell a different, more concerning story for their interior line.
O-Line Chaos: Who’s Stepping Up in the Trenches?
Forget the official report for a second, because this Anderson news is massive. Playing through a bone chip? That’s incredibly gutsy, but you gotta wonder about his effectiveness and long-term health. It gets dicier for the O-line because rookie guard Gennings Dunker just popped up on the injury report, limited with a knee. What’s happening in the trenches? We saw Brock Hoffman getting snaps at right guard on Wednesday, sharing reps with starting center Zach Frazier. Clearly, the Steelers are exploring every option, and they might have to. With Anderson’s reported injury and Dunker’s new knee issue, their depth at guard is a serious concern heading into Week 3. This isn’t the stability you want up front against a division rival.
Defensive Returns Offer Hope, But Other Concerns Linger
It’s not all gloom though, especially on defense. Cornerback Jamel Dean, a top defender, was back at practice Thursday, albeit limited with his ankle after sitting out Wednesday. Huge sigh of relief for that secondary, right? Veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey returned too after his Wednesday rest day. Having those two back is a big boost. Unfortunately, running back Rico Dowdle (toe) and linebacker Cole Holcomb (personal) are still being held out of practice. Plus, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot), cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (conditioning), and running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) all remained limited on Thursday. So while the secondary gets good news, key guys are still banged up across multiple critical positions.
The Steelers are gearing up for a tough Week 3 against the Bengals, and Cincinnati’s injury report actually held steady from Wednesday. Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and B.J. Hill are still non-participants for the Bengals, and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas is still out, now expected to hit injured reserve. This game is gonna be a grind, especially with the Steelers’ O-line situation looking so murky after this bone chip revelation. Can the Steelers rally and protect their quarterback, or will the Bengals’ D-line feast? We’ll find out soon!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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