Highly anticipated rookie will miss preseason debut vs. Packers according to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the field for the first time in 2026 this Thursday, and everyone is excited to see what the team looks like. But one of the most important rookies in the 2026 class won’t be on the field.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without first-round pick Max Iheanachor when they open the preseason against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The rookie offensive tackle’s absence comes as no surprise given the upper body injury he sustained roughly a week ago during training camp, and coach Mike McCarthy’s decision to hold him out looks like a straightforward precaution rather than a cause for concern.
Iheanachor was spotted going through individual drills in pads on Monday despite McCarthy stating he would not practice. The Steelers moved inside to their indoor facility on Tuesday because of weather, making it difficult to gauge his participation level. But the reality is this: McCarthy has said the rookie just needs to get his strength back. The injury, believed to be shoulder-related, was never described as serious or significant.
Why rush a tackle who, if everything goes according to plan, will be a starter in Pittsburgh for the next decade? The Steelers are playing it smart.
Steelers 2026 preseason schedule
- Week 1 vs. Green Bay Packers (Thursday, August 13).
- Week 2 vs. New York Jets (Friday, August 21).
- Week 3 at Buffalo Bills (Thursday, August 27).
The bigger story is Aaron Rodgers vs. Green Bay
What qualifies as a bigger deal is McCarthy’s comment that by Tuesday night, the Steelers would have an idea of who’s going to play in Thursday’s game. That includes quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who would be facing the Green Bay Packers for what could be the final time in his career.
The only scenario where these two teams meet again would be a Super Bowl matchup. So there’s a nostalgic quality to this one. McCarthy coached the Packers with Rodgers under center. It’s the preseason opener, it’s at home, and McCarthy indicated that Rodgers would like to play.
But is that the smartest idea? A 42-going-on-43-year-old quarterback who, if we’re being honest, holds Pittsburgh’s entire season in his hands. The Steelers’ 2026 outlook hinges on how well Rodgers plays. Throwing him out there in a game that doesn’t count is a legitimate debate.
Green Bay plans to play some starters too
The Packers are expected to give quarterback Jordan Love some run on Thursday, which means Green Bay will likely have a few of its starters on the field. That could make for a compelling series or two if Rodgers does suit up.
The bottom line is the Iheanachor situation is a non-story. He’ll be fine. The Rodgers question is the one worth watching as Thursday approaches, and McCarthy’s decision will tell us a lot about how this coaching staff plans to manage its veteran quarterback throughout the season.
