The Pittsburgh Steelers have been ambushed by injuries along the offensive line in the opening weeks of the NFL season. On Sunday, those woes worsened when right guard James Daniels tore his Achilles in the 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Daniels was playing the best football of his career before he went down, opening a chasm on the interior. Rookie guard Mason McCormick will take his place after filling in at left guard in Week 4.
However, each injury requires the next man to step up, and the Steelers depth has been tested in the early going. Rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu is down for the year, as is center Nate Herbig. Left guard Isaac Seumalo is yet to play this season, and tackle Dylan Cook has spent recent weeks on injured reserve.
Pittsburgh needed reinforcement, and addressed that need by signing guard Max Scharping on Tuesday.
“Obviously, it’s a blessing for me and my family to get this opportunity,” Scharping said, via Aaron Becker. “Great organization. Great team. I’m very excited to be here.”
Scharping won’t be asked to step in immediately. Spencer Anderson will play left guard after struggling there earlier in the season, McCormick will fill in at right guard. Still, the Steelers must improve in the trenches. The situation is untenable for a strong running game that is supposed to be the engine of this offense. If help isn’t on the way at receiver, it must be the offensive line that compensates.
And given how frequently Pittsburgh has gotten hurt thus far, keeping as many bodies up to speed as possible is important.
“It’s really (to) get onboarded as quickly as possible,” he continued. “Learn the offense as quickly as possible and then just get to know the guys. Obviously, as an offensive lineman, trust is pretty key when you’re working with four other guys.”
Scharping has largely spent his professional career at guard. He also played a dozen snaps at center last year with the Cincinnati Bengals. This preseason, spent with the Philadelphia Eagles, he played 149 snaps at left tackle.
That versatility is certainly attractive. At this point, the Steelers can’t rule anything out.
“I think as of this preseason, I have now played every position on the offensive line. So wherever they need me to fill in, I’m gonna do my best to do that.”
