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Steelers Rookie Max Iheanachor Misses Practice, Week 1 Start Doubtful

8/7/2026

35 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Max Iheanachor, the Steelers’ No. 21 overall 2026 draft pick, will miss practice until Monday after an upper-body injury on Aug 6 at Saint Vincent College.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Iheanachor is “OK” but will sit out Friday and return Monday, without detailing the injury.
The injury puts his Week 1 right-tackle start in doubt, leaving Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones and Doug Nester as alternatives for the Aug 13 preseason game against the Packers.

History

Historical Context

In the 1995 NFL draft, the expansion Carolina Panthers traded the first overall pick to the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected running back Ki-Jana Carter with a seven-year, $19.2 million contract that set a rookie record. Carter tore a knee ligament in his first preseason game and missed the entire 1995 season, underscoring the risk of large rookie investments for new franchises.

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Story summary

Max Iheanachor, the Steelers’ No. 21 overall 2026 draft pick, will miss practice until Monday after an upper-body injury on Aug 6 at Saint Vincent College.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Iheanachor is “OK” but will sit out Friday and return Monday, without detailing the injury.
The injury puts his Week 1 right-tackle start in doubt, leaving Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones and Doug Nester as alternatives for the Aug 13 preseason game against the Packers.

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