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

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round NFL draft pick left training camp practice with an apparent injury on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Trainers were seen working on Max Iheanachor’s arm and shoulder before he retreated to the locker room at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., according to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot and Nick Farabaugh on PennLive.

The Steelers selected Iheanachor, an offensive tackle from Arizona State, with the 21st overall pick in the April draft. He appeared as the backup to starter Dylan Cook on the team’s initial training camp depth chart, released Wednesday. Troy Fautanu was listed as the starter at left tackle, with Broderick Jones slotting in behind him.

Originally, GM Omar Khan had targeted USC receiver Makai Lemon in the draft, getting so far as a phone call with the former Trojan to inform him of the team’s plan to select him. Then the Philadelphia Eagles swooped in with a trade to grab him one pick before the Steelers.

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Iheanachor became a fallback option that surprised some. Fautanu and Jones were starters and first-round picks from two of the previous three draft classes. Jones navigated a neck injury late last season and into the offseason, however, and the team did not pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. So Iheanachor’s selection appeared to be a signal of long-term intent to invest in him instead.

The Steelers were planning to get their first look at him during game action during the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers Aug. 13 at Acrisure Stadium.

If he’s forced to miss time, it will likely delay his challenge for starting duties and solidify the role for Cook, an former undrafted free agent who impressed as the starter amid Jones’ injury at the end of 2025.

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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp

New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) does a passing drill with running back Jam Miller (30) during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.

(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)