Steelers lose lineman Daniels, Patterson to injuries
INDIANAPOLIS — The planned rotation at left guard never came to fruition Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
An injury to right guard James Daniels scuttled any plans for Spencer Anderson to alternate with rookie Mason McCormick, who was making his first NFL start, at left guard.
Daniels exited with an injury to his left ankle — he was wearing a walking boot after the game — and did not return to the Steelers’ 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
His departure forced Anderson into the lineup at right guard. Anderson had started the first three games at left guard before losing his job to McCormick. It also left the Steelers with two rookies and one second- year player on the interior of the line.
It was the latest blow to a position group that already was missing veteran Isaac Seumalo for the fourth consecutive game and counts Troy Fautanu and Nate Herbig among the players on injured reserve.
Still, the Steelers piled up a season-best 404 yards, including 122 rushing. Running back Najee Harris, however, was limited to 19 yards on 13 carries, and quarterback Justin Fields was sacked four times and hit on five other occasions.
“I think they did a pretty good job,” Fields said. “At the end of the day, they are at this level, they’re on this team for a reason. Rookie or not, we all have a job to do, and I think they did a good job stepping up.”
The attrition carried over to the backfield. Cordarrelle Patterson left in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. It came after he gained 43 yards on six carries and had two receptions for 19 yards.
With Jaylen Warren inactive because of a knee injury, the Steelers turned to practice squad call-up Aaron Shampklin as the third-down back. Shampklin also got his first NFL carry.
The only defensive starter to leave the game was outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who hurt his ankle in the first half but returned in the second. With the Steelers already minus Alex Highsmith, the Steelers turned to DeMarvin Leal in Herbig’s absence.
