Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Max Iheanachor left Thursday’s training-camp practice early because of an upper-body injury.
Iheanachor, an offensive tackle, was at first seen being treated by the Steelers’ training staff with what appeared to be discomfort in his shoulder or neck area. He ultimately walked off the field and up the steps at the far end of the fields at Saint Vincent, retreating to the locker room well before the end of practice.
A team spokesperson indicated coach Mike McCarthy would provide appropriate injury updates during his next media availability Friday morning. McCarthy does not speak with media after practice.
Iheanachor was spotted on campus Thursday afternoon with his arm in a sling.
The 6-foot-6 Iheanachor was drafted with the 21st overall pick in April. He has been consistently repping as the right tackle on the second-team offense throughout summer workouts and training camp. Since the pads came on this week, Iheanachor has been getting rave reviews. He’s stood out in one-on-one pass-blocking reps against the Steelers’ quality corps of edge rushers (T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig).
Before Thursday’s practice, McCarthy said of Iheanachor: “Everybody wants to see what the rookies do when they put on pads, and he definitely passed that test.”
Broderick Jones took Iheanachor’s spot as the second-team right tackle the remainder of Thursday’s practice.
Echols, too
Veteran cornerback Brandin Echols also did not complete practice after suffering an injury. Echols’ ailment appeared to be to his left ankle. After a team rep, Echols grimaced in pain as he went to the sideline. He was attended to by a member of the training staff for several minutes.
Echols made his way to the other side of the field, where the ankle was iced. Echols, who has been repping as the Steelers’ top nickel back during this camp, was spotted on campus later without any visible wrap or encumbrance.
Heyward, Heidenreich out
Defensive captain Cameron Heyward was in street clothes watching Thursday’s practice. There was no clear indication Heyward is suffering from an injury, and it is plausible the 37-year-old was merely taking a veteran’s day off.
Mt Lebanon HS alum Eli Heidenreich addressing the current Blue Devils team here after practice
Heidenreich did not participate today (undisclosed) pic.twitter.com/nFmIfOlypm
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 6, 2026
Thursday’s practice was the seventh of camp. In years past, it was very common for the Steelers’ most veteran players to take days off from practice. Until Thursday, there had been no such “maintenance” days for Heyward, Watt, quarterback Aaron Rodgers or others.
Also highly limited at practice Thursday was rookie seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich. Defensive lineman Logan Lee remains out, and reserve guard Steven Jones likewise did not seem to practice at all Thursday.
