Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center sustained a high ankle sprain against the Las Vegas Raiders when he was rolled up from behind on a run play. Fortunately for the Steelers, the injury wasn’t as severe as initially feared. Frazier is now approaching a return and is expected back for the team’s game against the Washington Commanders following their bye week.
In his last season at West Virginia, he suffered a broken leg against Baylor, ending his season early. The recent injury affected the same ankle, but Frazier shared with Mike DeFabo of *The Athletic* that the steel plate from his college surgery likely prevented a worse outcome. Team orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Bradley told Frazier that without the plate, he might have broken a bone and been out for the season.
While Frazier’s ankle has sprains in two areas, the injury is relatively minor, and he managed to avoid being placed on injured reserve. This is crucial for the Steelers, who are already without offensive linemen Troy Fautanu, Nate Herbig, and James Daniels for the season. Frazier’s return will be especially valuable as Pittsburgh pushes for a playoff spot.
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Former Pro Bowler could be Pittsburgh Steelers’ next WR trade target
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still exploring options to address their wide receiver needs, but their choices are narrowing. The Los Angeles Rams seemed to take Cooper Kupp off the trade market after their win over the Minnesota Vikings. However, another potential target could be Carolina Panthers’ veteran Adam Thielen.
Due to NFL rules, the Steelers cannot trade for their former wide receiver Diontae Johnson until at least two years have passed since he was first traded. But Thielen, a seasoned option, could be a good fit if other choices are unavailable.
Currently, Thielen has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing four consecutive games and set to miss a fifth this Sunday. Nonetheless, he appears to be recovering and may be back on the field soon.
At 34, Thielen might welcome a move to a contender for a shot at a Super Bowl. Known for his blocking skills, he would also provide a boost in that area over Van Jefferson. With Carolina focused on developing younger players, a trade involving Thielen seems likely. While he may not offer the star power of Kupp, Thielen could be an ideal solution for Pittsburgh’s wide receiver issues.
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