LATROBE, Pa. - Max Iheanachor’s training camp momentum took an abrupt turn Thursday when the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle left practice after what looked like an upper-body injury.
During the team’s first period, Iheanachor came off to the side after a single rep, and staff checked on his shoulder and neck. Not long after, his helmet was taken away, and he spent the rest of the practice watching the individual work from the back before walking up the hill into the team facility at Saint Vincent College for evaluation. He did not return.
There was no concrete update on his condition afterward, leaving his status unresolved for now.
The injury came after a strong start to camp for Iheanachor, who has been one of the Steelers’ brighter early stories. He has stood out most in the first two days of padded practice, showing he may be further along than the “raw” label suggests.
That was especially clear on Monday, when his footwork jumped off the field. Alex Highsmith tried to beat him with an inside move, but Iheanachor’s quick feet matched the rush perfectly and shut it down.
The rookie’s approach has been simple and direct. “Just be myself.
Go out there confident. Know your rushers.
Know their main moves,” he said. “Just go out there and play fast.
Don’t overthink whoever is in front of you. Different people lined up.
Just play fast.”
He wasn’t flawless, though. T.J.
Watt got his hands wide and powered straight through Iheanachor’s chest on one rep, a classic introduction to NFL strength. But Iheanachor answered by stopping second-year pass rusher Jack Sawyer twice in a row after that.
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