Steelers cornerback Anthony Averett leaves game with hamstring injury, won't return

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Anthony Averett left their preseason game with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night with a hamstring injury. He won’t be returning to the game, according to Burt Lauten, Steelers Senior Director of Communications.

Averett came into the league in 2018, after he was a fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was picked by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 118 overall selection. He signed his one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 12th, 2024. He’s played in 51 career games so far. In total, Averett has racked up 114 tackles, three interceptions, and 23 pass deflections.

The Steelers had a number of other players with injury issues: running back Jaylen Warren also had hamstring problems. Linebacker Payton Wilson had a concussion, forcing him to leave the game and not return. Slot corner Beanie Bishop did not play for the Steelers after being banged up in the team’s joint practice with the Buffalo Bills.

The Steelers will have to start thinking about options at center

Center Nate Herbig missed the game with a shoulder injury. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is not sure how much time he’ll miss but will update his status after he goes for a second opinion.

If Herbig has to miss time, then Zach Frazier should be the man at center for Pittsburgh. He was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and he comes into the Steel City with a high level of pedigree. Frazier played his college football with the West Virginia Mountaineers, where he enjoyed a dominant career. He played in 47 straight games, including 37 starts at the center position. Frazier earned All-American honors twice (2021 and 2023). He only allowed one sack in his last two years with the Mountaineers, racking up more than 170 knockdown blocks in his final three years there.

In the 2023 season with the Mountaineers, Frazier helped block for two of the most explosive runners in the conference in Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson, Jr. White rolled up 842 yards and four touchdowns on 109 carries (7.7 yards per carry). Donaldson rolled up 798 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 171 carries.

Pittsburgh lost to the Buffalo Bills 9-3 on Saturday night. They currently sit at 0-2 in the preseason. The injuries are piling up for the franchise, and they’ll hope they can get as healthy as possible before the beginning of the 2024 season in a few weeks.