The nuance, characters, and themes of an NFL season are some of the many elements that make the sport captivating. Unfortunately, one of the recurring and unfortunate themes of any season is the impact of injuries. For the Cleveland Browns, the 2023 season was marked by their ability to overcome such setbacks, resulting in 11 wins and a playoff berth. However, for many other teams, injuries can spell the end of their season’s hopes, as was the case with the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets last year.
The Browns are not strangers to injury concerns and have had to consider replacement options, a situation that is all too common across the league. In the AFC North, a division known for its physicality and rugged competition, injuries can quickly change the course of a team’s season. This was further highlighted on Sunday when news broke that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be without their starting center, Nate Herbig, for the remainder of the season. This leaves rookie Zach Frazier to step in and fill the void.
Nate Herbig, who played in all 17 games for the Steelers last season and made two starts, has been a reliable presence on their offensive line. The veteran lineman, undrafted in 2018, has appeared in 61 games with 20 starts throughout his career. Losing a player of Herbig’s experience and reliability is a significant blow to the Steelers, especially as they navigate the challenges of the AFC North.
Zach Frazier, a second-round pick in this year’s draft, was initially expected to serve as a backup during his rookie season. Now, however, he will be thrust into a starting role much sooner than anticipated. The young center will have to quickly adapt to the demands of starting in the NFL, especially in a division as competitive as the AFC North.
The Steelers’ situation is made even more precarious given the lack of depth at the center position. With Herbig sidelined, the only other center on the roster is Ryan McCollum, who hasn’t played a regular-season snap since 2021 and has only 101 offensive snaps to his name. This lack of depth raises questions about whether the Steelers will look to the trade market or free agency to bolster their offensive line.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns faced a similar situation earlier this season when they lost backup center Luke Wypler during Week 1 of the preseason. In response, they made a trade to bring back Nick Harris to fill that role. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers follow a similar path in addressing their depth concerns.
The loss of Herbig is a tough blow for Pittsburgh, and the ripple effects of his absence will be felt throughout the team’s offensive strategy. As the season progresses, how the Steelers adapt to this challenge will be crucial in determining their success. In a division as unforgiving as the AFC North, every injury can have significant implications, and the Steelers will need to find a way to overcome this setback if they hope to stay competitive in the race for the playoffs.
