The Pittsburgh Steelers are now well into training camp, and one of the main focuses of camp so far has been the offensive line. There are some question marks along the starting group and both spots on the right side are up for grabs. It is important that the Steelers get this group right due to Aaron Rodgers being 42 years old, and also the Steelers are going to want to be successful when it comes to running the football. The offensive line improving in 2026 is critical, and the Steelers have Max Iheanachor, who is hoping to crack that starting lineup. He is going to have to wait now after suffering an injury.
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Steelers' Max Iheanachor puts his helmet on during mandatory minicamp in 2026.
Iheanachor was Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 2026, and he had been having a really good camp. However, he went down with an injury during practice on Thursday. Reports said that Iheanachor walked off of the practice field and he was rubbing his neck and shoulder area, and he eventually walked with trainers back to the locker room. It is never good to see a top pick go down in training camp, but things looked like they might be okay as the conversation between Iheanachor and the trainers did not seem to be too serious.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Monday, and he gave an update on Iheanachor's injury. The coach let the media know that Iheanachor would be out of practice on Monday, and that there is no timeline for his return. Brooke Pryor reported the news from the press conference.
"Rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor will not practice today, per Mike McCarthy," Pryor wrote. "Initial plan last week was for him to return today, but that timeline is TBD."
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Max Iheanachor during his first training camp in Latrobe, PA ahead of the 2026 season.
The timing of this injury is also unfortunate. Iheanachor was due to make his debut on Thursday against the Green Bay Packers, but now that is obviously up in the air. Even if he returns to practice on Tuesday, there is no telling whether or not the coaching staff would even want him to be on the field two days later in a game setting. The Steelers won't play another preseason game until eight days after taking on Green Bay, so hopefully Iheanachor can be back in time for that contest.
The coaching staff needs to see the rookie on the field as much as possible if he is going to have any chance at earning the starting job at right tackle early on in the 2026 season. Missing an opportunity in the preseason is not ideal, but hopefully he can return to the field in the near future at 100 percent health.
Steelers Were Seeing Great Things From Max Iheanachor
Iheanachor was considered a raw prospect going into the 2026 NFL Draft, but he seemed to be pretty polished throughout the first couple of weeks of training camp. Once the pads came on he looked great, and he was able to consistently hold his own in one-on-ones against some of the best pass rushers in the league. He was looking great and he had a ton of momentum. Fans should still be optimistic that he can be a quality starting tackle in the NFL based on what he has shown so far, and there is a chance that him being held out of practice is all precautionary.
Update: Iheanachor was seen practicing on Monday despite McCarthy's comments earlier that morning. Iheanachor was on the field in full pads, but he seemed to only be participating in individual drills while sitting out of team periods.
Max Iheanachor is taking some reps in individual. That’s progress after last week’s injury. pic.twitter.com/mzKUjpTqJc
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 10, 2026
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