Steelers head coach says quiet part out loud about previously injured rookie

There's an offensive position where the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to name a starter, but Mike McCarthy just said the quiet part out loud about why it likely won't be a previously injured rookie.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, McCarthy shared the ugly truth about Max Iheanachor's missed time due to injury, pointing out that it may be tough to throw him into a starting role early.

"Well, I mean, he's an injured player," McCarthy said about Iheanachor. "You have injured players miss games because of injuries, business situations or whatever the criteria is," McCarthy said. "Availability and accountability are the most important parts of this, and being available every single day is huge, especially if you're a rookie. There's so much to love about Max just in the time he's been out there. It's impressive. Make no doubt about that, he can play. But he hasn't played."

Although McCarthy declined to declare a definitive starter for Week 1, he admitted that Dylan Cook has been getting "most of the reps" as the first-team right tackle.

Considering McCarthy's comments on both Iheanachor and Cook, it's fair to guess that the latter will get the starting nod in Week 1, even if the Steelers aren't ready to admit it quite yet.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any roster news and injury updates, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.