The Pittsburgh Steelers were eagerly anticipating the return of star left guard Isaac Seumalo for their Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. However, their hopes were dashed as Seumalo was officially ruled out after initially being listed as doubtful. This setback means that the Steelers will have to wait at least another week before Seumalo can make his season debut on the field.
The news of Seumalo’s absence was confirmed by Steelers PR Director Burt Lauten, who announced on Twitter that the guard had been downgraded to “OUT” for the upcoming game against the Colts. This development leaves the team with a decision to make on who will step in to fill Seumalo’s shoes in the starting lineup.
Two potential candidates for the position are Spencer Anderson and rookie Mason McCormick. Anderson has been struggling as of late, which led to the Steelers beginning to rotate McCormick into the lineup. Given this recent trend, it is likely that McCormick will be the one to get the nod and earn his first start in the NFL. The Steelers selected McCormick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft from South Dakota State, and he now has the opportunity to showcase his skills on the field.
The absence of Seumalo has had a noticeable impact on the Steelers’ run game, with the team currently averaging less than four yards per carry and ranking 30th in success rate. Seumalo’s presence in the lineup is sorely missed, as his skill and experience are crucial to the team’s offensive performance. The Steelers will need to find a way to compensate for his absence and maintain their effectiveness in the running game moving forward.
The Impact of Seumalo’s Absence
Seumalo’s absence from the lineup is a significant blow to the Steelers, as he is a key component of their offensive line. His absence not only affects the team’s ability to run the ball effectively but also impacts their pass protection. Seumalo’s absence creates a void in the lineup that will need to be filled by either Anderson or McCormick, both of whom will need to step up and perform at a high level in Seumalo’s absence.
The Steelers will need to make adjustments to their offensive game plan to account for Seumalo’s absence and ensure that they can still effectively move the ball down the field. The coaching staff will need to come up with creative solutions to mitigate the impact of Seumalo’s absence and put the team in the best position to succeed against the Colts.
The Rise of Mason McCormick
With Seumalo ruled out for the game against the Colts, rookie Mason McCormick has the opportunity to step into the spotlight and showcase his talents on the field. McCormick, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has been seeing increased playing time in recent weeks as the Steelers began rotating him in amidst Anderson’s struggles.
McCormick now has the chance to earn his first start in the NFL and prove that he has what it takes to succeed at the professional level. The coaching staff has shown confidence in McCormick by giving him playing time, and now he will have the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities in a starting role.
Adjusting Without Seumalo
The Steelers will need to make adjustments to their offensive game plan to compensate for Seumalo’s absence and ensure that they can continue to move the ball effectively against the Colts. The coaching staff will need to find ways to protect the quarterback and open up running lanes for the running backs in Seumalo’s absence.
The team will need to rely on the depth of their roster and the versatility of their players to make up for the loss of Seumalo. Anderson and McCormick will need to step up and perform at a high level to ensure that the Steelers can maintain their effectiveness on offense without Seumalo in the lineup.
In conclusion, the Steelers will face a tough challenge in the upcoming game against the Colts without star left guard Isaac Seumalo in the lineup. The team will need to make adjustments to their offensive game plan and rely on the depth of their roster to compensate for Seumalo’s absence. It will be a test of the team’s resilience and adaptability as they look to secure a victory in Seumalo’s absence.
