Steelers' Mason McCormick Didn't Play Against Baltimore Due To 1 Important Thing He Refused To Do With His Broken Hand

The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2024 season with expectations that the offensive line would be improved. Of course, a lot changed when the line was decimated by injuries, forcing the team to rely heavily on its younger players. Two rookies, Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier, were thrust into starting roles and ended up far exceeding expectations for much of the season, helping stabilize the line during a turbulent stretch.

As the season wore on, it became evident that McCormick and Frazier were starting to hit a rookie wall. McCormick, in particular, struggled with consistency as the wear and tear of the season began to take its toll. His performance began to dip, and the Steelers coaching staff recognized the need for adjustments as the team fought for playoff positioning.

During the Steelers' 19-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, McCormick suffered a broken hand, which further complicated his ability to contribute. Despite this injury, a Steelers insider Mark Kaboly revealed on 93.7 The Fan that McCormick could have played in the playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. However, he reportedly refused to comply with one specific request the Steelers made regarding his injury, leaving many to wonder about the reasons behind his decision.

"I think Mason McCormick hit a block," Kaboly said. "He broke his hand and they wanted him to wear a cast. He wasn’t willing to do that so they said take a seat."

McCormick was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, a relatively under-the-radar pick that many draft pundits considered a potential steal. His potential quickly became evident when injuries to the veteran offensive linemen ahead of him thrust McCormick into action. 

Despite the challenging circumstances, he consistently overachieved for much of the season. However, it’s never easy for a rookie to maintain such high performance over the course of a full NFL season, and as time wore on, McCormick began to show signs of struggling.

The broken hand McCormick suffered was another major setback for the line as the Steelers prepared for their playoff showdown with the Ravens. According to Kaboly, it seems McCormick refused to wear the cast the team had requested, which ultimately kept him off the field for that crucial game. If true, this decision is surprising, especially given the stakes of a playoff game. As a rookie, McCormick likely wouldn’t have wanted to pass up the opportunity to contribute in such a pivotal moment.

It’s difficult to understand why McCormick wouldn’t wear the cast if it meant he could play, but there may have been concerns about the cast limiting his performance or feeling it wasn’t in his best interest to play through the injury. While we may never fully know his reasoning, Kaboly’s insights provide Steeler Nation with more context, adding a layer of complexity to the situation that fans may not have considered.

Steelers' Offensive Line Struggled Against The Ravens

The Steelers were forced to rely on a makeshift offensive line featuring Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Frazier, and a rotating cast of Calvin Anderson and Spencer Anderson in place of McCormick. The offensive line struggled to protect Russell Wilson and give him the time he needed to make splash plays when it mattered most.

Unfortunately, the line struggled to protect against the Ravens' aggressive pass rush, contributing to the team’s overall struggles in that game. Given the context, it’s particularly intriguing to hear the insight into McCormick's decision not to wear the cast, adding another layer to the team's challenges during the playoff matchup.

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