Center Zach Frazier of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been dealing with a calf injury over the last week and a half. But Frazier will play in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.
The Steelers had their starting center active when they announced their lineup for Sunday night’s matchup. An hour and a half before the game, the Steelers included wide receiver Scotty Miller, guard Andrus Peat, along with defensive linemen Logan Lee and DeMarvin Leal on their inactive list.
The Packers will visit Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff at Acrisure Stadium will occur at 8:20 pm ET.
Frazier has played 99% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps this season. He didn’t miss a snap in Week 7 despite suffering the calf injury at some point during the Thursday Night matchup versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
Entering Sunday, the Steelers had Frazier listed as questionable. He was limited in practice throughout the week.
With Frazier in the lineup, though, the Steelers will start the same five offensive linemen they have the entire season.
Steelers’ Zach Frazier Starting Despite Calf Injury
The Steelers offensive line started the season very slowly. In Week 1 against the New York Jets, the team gave up four sacks and averaged just 2.7 yards per rush.
But with the help of a sixth offensive lineman on a lot of plays and multi-tight end sets, the Steelers have done a much better job on the ground over the last month. The line’s protection of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has also greatly improved.
The Steelers have yielded just two sacks over the past four games. They allowed seven sacks in the first two contests.
Although he’s likely to be less than 100%, Frazier starting in the middle of the line gives the Steelers a chance of continuing that success.
Frazier and the Steelers, though, will have their hands full with the Packers front. Green Bay entered the week ranked fourth in rushing yards allowed per carry. The Packers are also in the top 10 in sacks per contest.
Steelers WR Calvin Austin III Returning, Scotty Miller Out
Pundits have connected the Steelers to numerous wide receivers on the trade market. But through Sunday, Pittsburgh has remained loyal to fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III as a starter.
Austin will be back on the field Sunday night for the first time since September 28. He suffered a shoulder injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.
In four games this season, Austin has posted 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, he averaged 15.2 yards per reception.
But while Austin will be back, the Steelers won’t have their full complement of receivers. The team ruled out Miller on Friday because of a finger injury.
Without Miller, second-year wideout Roman Wilson and veteran Ben Skowronek could see more snaps at receiver. Skowronek should also see his normal amount of playing time on special teams.
The Steelers-Packers matchup will feature a pair of first place teams in the AFC and NFC North, respectively.
Rodgers will be facing one of his former teams for the second time this season. The quarterback won four MVP awards and a Super Bowl with the Packers.
Sunday night will be the 41-year-old’s first matchup versus Green Bay. Rodgers enters the matchup with regular season victories against the other 31 NFL franchises besides the Packers.
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