“Steelers’ Rookie Zach Frazier Nears Return After Avoiding Major Ankle Injury”
Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier suffered a high ankle sprain when he was rolled up from behind during a run play against the Las Vegas Raiders. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t as severe as it could have been, and Frazier is close to returning for Pittsburgh’s game against the Washington Commanders after the bye week.
In his last season at West Virginia, Frazier broke his leg in a game against Baylor, ending his season. The same ankle was injured in the Raiders game, but Frazier mentioned to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic that if he didn’t have a steel plate in his leg from that college injury, the recent sprain could have been far worse.
According to The Athletic, Dr. James Bradley, the Steelers’ orthopedic surgeon, noted that the plate from Frazier’s college injury likely prevented a bone break that could have ended his season. In this way, the old injury and surgery have turned out to be a hidden benefit, DeFabo explained.
Frazier’s ankle sprain affects two areas but remains relatively minor, allowing him to avoid injured reserve—a big relief for the Steelers, who are already missing Troy Fautanu, Nate Herbig, and James Daniels on the offensive line. His return will be crucial for Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes.