The Pittsburgh Steelers secured an important victory on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6 but suffered a setback when rookie center Zach Frazier sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter. Frazier left the game after his leg got caught under a defender, causing a concerning twist. Initially, it appeared he might have injured his knee, but it was later confirmed that the damage was limited to his ankle. He was taken to the locker room and did not return to the game.
Source: #Steelers rookie starting center Zach Frazier suffered an ankle injury on Sunday against the Raiders and is considered week-to-week. There’s no structural damage.
Frazier has started all six games this season and has posted an impressive 82.2 PFF grade. pic.twitter.com/srXy4vd5lS
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 14, 2024
Despite the initial concerns, Dan Moore Jr. provided some optimism after the game, suggesting that the injury might not be as severe as it looked. NFL insider Jordan Schultz later reported on Monday that Frazier’s injury was not serious, confirming fans’ hopes that his recovery would be quicker than feared.
Frazier has been one of the Steelers’ standout performers in 2024, earning praise as their best rookie and one of the top players on the offensive line. His performance this season has drawn comparisons to top-10 centers in the league, making his potential absence a significant blow to Pittsburgh’s offense. In his absence, Ryan McCollum stepped in for the remainder of the Week 6 game and could be in line to start in Week 7 if Frazier’s ankle needs more time to heal.
The Steelers’ offensive line has been plagued by injuries this season, with Frazier’s setback adding to an already long list of issues. Isaac Seumalo missed the first five games, James Daniels is out for the season with a torn Achilles, and Troy Fautanu also suffered a serious knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. With all these challenges, Pittsburgh can’t afford to lose another key player like Frazier.
The hope is that Frazier could return for the Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets, a critical game for the Steelers given the strength of the Jets’ defensive line led by Quinnen Williams. Having Frazier back would greatly improve their chances of managing that tough defensive front.
