The Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans are excited about what first-round offensive tackle Max Iheanachor could do as a rookie this season. But Thursday, everyone just hopes he’s alright.
Team insiders reported Iheanachor left Thursday’s practice and saw him with training staff on the sidelines. The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported the tackle had a conversation with the Steelers medical staff while looking at something on his upper body.
DeFabo and other reporters wrote on social media that it appeared the staff was examining the tackle’s shoulder or neck.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor and others also posted photos of Iheanachor leaving the field to get presumably undergo further evaluation.
The Steelers drafted Iheanachor at No. 21 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is one of four Steelers picks from the past three drafts who could start along the offensive line this fall.
On Pittsburgh’s first depth chart released Wednesday, Iheanachor was the team’s RT2 behind Dylan Cook. But a lot of pundits have predicted Iheanachor to start at right tackle this fall.
Steelers’ Max Iheanachor Exits Training Camp With Potential Injury: Report
GettyPittsburgh Steelers first-round rookie Max Iheanachor left Thursday’s practice with an apparent injury.
As of 12:30 pm ET, there was no further details about how serious an ailment Iheanachor might have sustained. Whatever it was, it needed further evaluation in the team’s locker room.
“Iheanachor walking off the field and to the facility,” wrote Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora on X. “Steelers first-round pick injured in today’s practice.”
The team and fans are left to hope until the team provides an update that it’s nothing too serious.
Losing Iheanachor could be a significant blow to the Steelers offensive line. Even if he suffered an injury that will be better by Week 1, Iheanachor is currently getting valuable repetitions at training camp. The last thing the Steelers need is for their project first-round pick to miss the best practices of the year for his development.
Iheanachor played three seasons at Arizona State from 2023-25 in his college career. He was the sixth offensive tackle off the board in the 2026 draft class.
“He has good length and excellent lean mass. His hands and footwork need refinement, but his range and play strength should translate to any run scheme,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein during the draft process. “There is work to do with pass-protection technique, but strong performances against Texas Tech’s rush duo last season and at the Senior Bowl suggest Iheanachor might be more game-ready than I previously anticipated.”
Steelers Tackle Depth at Training Camp
GettyFormer first-round pick Troy Fautanu is flipping to left tackle this season.
Losing Iheanachor for any amount of time would hurt. But the Steelers have built tackle depth over the past few years.
Iheanachor was the third offensive tackle the Steelers took in the first round since 2023. Only two of those can start. Most pundits have predicted Broderick Jones, who is returning from neck surgery, to be the odd-man out when the season begins.
If Iheanachor misses significant time, Jones could play at right tackle. He started on that side in 2023 and 2024 before becoming the team’s starting left tackle last year.
Cook, though, might have the edge over Jones. Again, Cook was the team’s starting right tackle on the first depth chart. Jones was listed as the team’s backup left tackle to Troy Fautanu.
Last year, Fautanu started at right tackle.
The Steelers also have Jack Driscoll, Doug Nester and Lorenzo Thompson on the roster at tackle. On the depth chart, Nester was behind Iheanachor as the team’s RT3.
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