Max Iheanachor Injury Update: Steelers First-rounder 'ok' After Scare

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have avoided a significant setback with their first-round NFL draft pick. 

Coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that offensive tackle Max Iheanachor is “OK” after leaving practice with an apparent injury Aug. 6 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. McCarthy expects the rookie to return to practice on Monday. 

Trainers were seen working on Iheanachor’s arm and shoulder area before he left to go to the locker room. The Arizona State product was listed as the backup at right tackle behind Dylan Cook on the team’s initial training camp depth chart, but observers have been impressed with how he has practiced so far. 

Required reading: Steelers first-round draft pick leaves practice early. What to know

Rarely have the Steelers been so fortunate in recent years. Since 2022, Calvin Austin III, Cory Trice, Will Howard, Roman Wilson and Derrick Harmon have been among noteworthy rookies to sustain early injuries that set back their ability to make impacts in the regular season. 

Mike McCarthy provided an injury update on rookie OT Max Iheanachor Friday morning #Steelers#NFLpic.twitter.com/JJkLucaWIG

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 7, 2026

Of that group, only Harmon was able to bounce back and become a regular contributor. Fellow first-round pick Troy Fautanu also lost most of his rookie season in 2024 because of an injury at practice following his Week 2 debut. He played only one game that year. 

The Steelers moved practice indoors Thursday because of the threat of rain. They’ll practice Saturday, Monday and Tuesday before breaking camp temporarily ahead of their preseason opener Aug. 13 against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Max Iheanachor injury update: Steelers first-rounder 'OK' after scare