"Going To Be Hard For Him": Steelers' Promising Max Iheanachor Plan Hits Its First Major Roadblock

The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to have discovered something exciting during the early stages of training camp. Rookie offensive tackle Max Iheanachor was developing quickly, impressing the coaching staff and positioning himself to potentially start at some point during the 2026 season.

Pittsburgh selected Iheanachor 21st overall with the expectation that he would eventually become its starting right tackle. He began camp behind Dylan Cook, but his daily improvement made it seem possible that the rookie could force his way into the lineup sooner than expected.

That timeline has become much less certain since Iheanachor suffered an upper-body injury during practice. He has now missed valuable team work and did not participate in Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers. Steelers analyst Mark Kaboly said via 93.7 The Fan that he believes the absence could be increasingly difficult to overcome. 

"If he comes back, I don't know, man. It's going to be hard for him to make up that time," Kaboly said. "That's a lot of time missed. He's now at a week missed with nothing. I don't know how quick of a learner he is. He's already had to learn a lot. It may be difficult."

The initial signs created optimism that Iheanachor had avoided a serious injury. He walked away under his own power, remained around the team and later appeared in uniform during practice. Head Coach Mike McCarthy said the rookie would not participate, but his presence on the field suggested a return might be close.

However, merely wearing pads or completing warmups cannot replace full-speed repetitions. Iheanachor did not participate in team drills, and every missed practice creates another developmental obstacle for a player learning an entirely new professional system. That challenge becomes more significant because Pittsburgh is operating under a new regime. McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen are installing their own techniques, terminology and expectations. No one outside the organization can know exactly how quickly Iheanachor would have earned a starting position, but Pittsburgh loved what it saw before the injury. Iheanachor's relative inexperience makes every repetition particularly valuable. 

That background also provides reason to believe he can successfully navigate this setback. Iheanachor has spent his entire football career learning quickly, overcoming a late start and proving he belongs at increasingly difficult levels of competition. Missing part of training camp should not prevent him from eventually becoming the player Pittsburgh drafted. The more realistic concern is that the injury possibly creates a "redshirt" rookie season. Iheanachor may not miss the entire year like a traditional redshirt, but his opportunity to contribute could arrive later than Pittsburgh originally planned. He should eventually receive meaningful snaps, although the delay may prevent him from becoming an early-season starter.

Pittsburgh also possesses enough offensive line depth to avoid rushing him. Cook has handled the starting right tackle position, while Broderick Jones has received additional practice opportunities during Iheanachor's absence. That competition gives the coaching staff time to prioritize the rookie's health without leaving the offense dangerously exposed.

Steelers Could Benefit From Broderick Jones' Opportunity

The Steelers are managing the situation correctly by giving Jones more work. He is returning from spinal fusion surgery and needs live repetitions to regain his playing shape, confidence and technique. Iheanachor's unfortunate absence has created an important opportunity for Jones to prove he can still become a reliable part of Pittsburgh's future. Jones has produced an uneven NFL career, but he showed encouraging progress near the end of the 2025 season before suffering his neck injury. If he recaptures that momentum while Iheanachor recovers, Pittsburgh could eventually possess several legitimate starting options across an offensive line built through years of premium investments.

Iheanachor's injury is not a reason to panic, especially with McCarthy previously saying the rookie was getting close to returning. Still, Kaboly is correct that the missed time matters. The Steelers may need to delay their exciting plans for their first-round pick, but his talent and unusual journey suggest he can eventually make up the ground he has lost.

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