The Pittsburgh Steelers dodged a bullet on Sunday after Zach Frazier went down with what looked like a possibly devastating injury. His leg got caught under a defender in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and it looked like it could be costly. His knee bent at an irregular angle, but the damage actually happened to his ankle. He went to the blue medical tent and then the locker room, failing to return to the contest. No other specifics about the injury have been reported, other than Frazier being considered week to week.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Zach Frazier during the National Anthem ahead of a game in Las Vegas, Nevada.
News broke on Monday that Frazier's ankle injury isn't considered too serious, and there was even a slight chance the rookie could have returned to action in Week 7. He will miss Pittsburgh's Week 7 matchup with the New York Jets, as Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday.
Former Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went on his podcast Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger on Monday to gave his thoughts on the game, while also sharing his thoughts on when Frazier will return. He thought the rookie would power through and play against New York, but he still gives Frazier plenty of praise.
"Now I would venture to say that he's going to tape it up and he'll be out there in a cast if he has to, I just feel like he is that type of dude. That toughness, so I expect him to be out there next week, but when he goes down in the middle of a game, that's not an easy thing to have happen. I mean that's your guy that you have comfort in, he's making the calls at the line of scrimmage for you, changing things, I thought they handled it well."
Roethlisberger has some good insights on the relationship between a quarterback and a center. After all, he and Maurkice Pouncey were extremely close throughout the time they played together. Frazier has been one of Pittsburgh's best offensive players during his rookie year, which is a hard feat to accomplish. He will certainly be missed against the Jets in Week 7.
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Former WVU center Zach Frazier high fives fans at an away game during his college days.
Roethlisberger's statement about the toughness of Frazier is absolutely true, and it is a big reason the Steelers decided to select him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His toughness was displayed during his career at West Virginia, where he actually broke his leg while blocking downfield and he crawled off of the playing surface so his team didn't have to use a timeout at a crucial part of the game.
Zach Frazier with a legendary final play as a Mountaineer. Left it all on the field. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/D8mjPr8IGT
— EerRational (@EerRational) November 26, 2023
Frazier has been loved by fans ever since arriving in Pittsburgh, and he has been an important part of the offense. Many would like to see him on the field against the Jets on Sunday, but it's also important that he doesn't force himself back into action - which is probably why the team is keeping him from playing.
Steelers Have Already Lost One Rookie Due To Injury
Pittsburgh has been tested by injuries a lot as they approach their seventh game of the season. Their first-round pick, Troy Fautanu, has already been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season due to a knee injury. Fautanu looked great in his one start in Week 2, and it was a serious blow when he went down in practice the following week.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle, Troy Fautanu (76) blocking against the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the 2024 regular season.
The offensive line is reeling, as James Daniels has also been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an Achilles injury. Pittsburgh can't afford to lose Frazier for an extended period of time, so keeping him out of the Week 7 matchup is probably a smart move by the organization.
What do you think of Roethlisberger's comments on Frazier? Let us know in the comments below!
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