The Pittsburgh Steelers are a strange team going into the 2025 NFL season. Some people have them being a serious contender in the AFC, while others think they have no chance of making the playoffs. The level of team success Pittsburgh finds is going to hinge on a lot of different things, but one of the most important is going to be the offensive line. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not as mobile as he used to be, and he is going to need some strong protection in order to play efficiently. The tackle spots are going to be crucial for that, and they are currently made up of Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, and Calvin Anderson - who is the swing tackle in Pittsburgh heading into training camp.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Calvin Anderson works out during the 2025 offseason in Pittsburgh.
A lot of pressure is going to be put on Jones and Fautanu to perform during the 2025 season, and both players are very young. Anderson will likely be the top backup on the right side behind Fautanu, who has already struggled with injury. Anderson could end up playing a big role for Pittsburgh, but his career nearly came crumbling down back in 2023.
During the 2023 offseason, Anderson and his wife traveled to Nigeria, and Anderson contracted a form of malaria on his visit. Malaria can be received after being bit by a mosquito carrying the sickness, and that is likely what happened with Anderson. The sickness can be dormant, so it took some time before symptoms popped up for the lineman. He didn't feel sick until he was back in America, and that's when he went to the hospital.
Anderson spoke about his experience during Thursday's episode of The Christian Kuntz Podcast.
"They came back, they said, 'He has falciparum malaria,'" Anderson explained. "At this point, because we waited so long, and the parasites started to spread, there's only a 50/50 chance that the medicine will work. The medicine is really potent, but it has to catch up now with all the parasites which have already been spreading."
This bout of sickness came about a week before Anderson was supposed to report to the New England Patriots for training camp ahead of the 2023 season. This came right after Anderson had signed his first big deal with New England, and he had his first real chance to solidify himself as a starter in the league. The sickness took a toll on the lineman as he missed most of camp, and he was placed on Injured Reserve later in the season.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Calvin Anderson warms up prior to a Wild Card matchup with the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2024 season.
Anderson wound up starting the first two games of the 2023 season for New England, but he was then benched and played only special teams for three games. He then hit Injured Reserve after suffering a heart contusion. He was released at the end of training camp right before the 2024 season, and Pittsburgh wound up signing him in September of the 2024 season. He signed a two-year extension with the organization during the 2025 offseason, showing the franchise's trust in him as a backup at tackle.
Steelers' Calvin Anderson Could End Up Playing Significant Snaps In 2025
Fautanu is entering his second season, but he didn't play much during his rookie year due to a knee injury, and he also missed some time in training camp with a different knee injury. The medical concerns are real for the young tackle, which could mean Anderson might be playing a bit more than expected this upcoming season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Calvin Anderson prior to Pittsburgh's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in the 2024 playoffs.
The expectations are high for Fautanu as many believe he is already the best offensive lineman on the roster for Pittsburgh, but he needs to prove that he can play well while also staying healthy. If not, Anderson will probably be starting some games for Pittsburgh during the 2025 season.
What do you think about Anderson's scary experience with malaria? Let us know in the comments below!
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