Steelers Rely on Young Versatility in Week 1

One of the most impressive traits in a player is versatility, and Spencer Anderson, an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers, embodies this virtue perfectly. During his time at the University of Maryland, the 1.96-meter-tall Anderson began as a pure right tackle. However, when injuries weakened the team, he developed into a utility player capable of handling every position on the offensive line, from tackle to center. This remarkable adaptability was crucial in Anderson being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, with the season about to start and left guard Isaac Seumalo sidelined with a pectoral injury, the door opens for Anderson to make his NFL debut as a starter. Ironically, left guard is the position Anderson played the least in college. Nevertheless, he gathered valuable experience in this role during training camp and stepped in whenever Seumalo needed a break. Anderson is aware of the significance of this opportunity and plans to focus on his solid techniques and fundamental skills. Since the promotion of Omar Khan to General Manager and the addition of Andy Weidl as his assistant, the Steelers have strategically focused on building their offensive line. Khan used his first draft pick on tackle Broderick Jones. This year, Pittsburgh invested additional early picks to secure the future of their offensive line: in the first round, tackle Troy Fautanu; in the second, center Zach Frazier; and in the fourth, guard Mason McCormick. However, with multiple injuries and adjustments, the offensive line remains a moving entity. Besides Seumalo's injury, center Nate Herbig also had to pause due to injury during training camp, putting Frazier in the spotlight to act as the starter. While Frazier holds down his position, the situation with the tackles is more complex. Jones, originally slated as the future left tackle, is playing on the right side due to Dan Moore Jr.'s preference. Yet, Fautanu’s knee injury in the first preseason game has left plans in flux. Although Fautanu is making progress, his availability for the opening game remains uncertain. In the meantime, Jones continues to train as a right tackle, with the expectation of eventually switching to the left side. Despite the uncertainties, Anderson emphasizes the importance of teamwork. "At the end of the day, we are only as good as our unit," he says. “If four of us are on the same page, it means nothing if the fifth is off. It’s about maintaining communication on the line and staying adaptable.”