The Pittsburgh Steelers could get two huge boosts after the bye week

Outside linebacker Nick Herbig and center Zach Frazier, two young stars who have played key roles for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, both have a good chance of returning from injury shortly after the team concludes its Week 9 bye.

Herbig has not appeared in a game since he injured his hamstring against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, while Frazier hasn’t adjusted after leaving the Steelers’ Week 6 battle with the Las Vegas Raiders due to an ankle injury.

Additionally, neither player has participated in training since initially suffering their respective injuries.

However, if their recent comments are any indication, it appears that Herbig and Frazier are on the rise and have made breakthroughs in their recovery, so to speak.

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Herbig was confident he would be ready to take on the Washington Commanders in Week 10.

‘I’m optimistic about it’ said Herbig. “I’ll go there and see how I feel.”

There will be a better idea of ​​his future availability once Pittsburgh starts practicing again, but it’s hard to view his statement as anything other than positive given the lack of updates on his health beyond that.

Through parts of five games (two starts) in the middle of his sophomore season, Herbig has recorded nine pressures and four sacks on the season. Pro football focusas part of a triumvirate of fearsome Pittsburgh edge rushers alongside TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith.

As for Frazier, while in conversation with Tim Benz of the Tribune-Reviewhe stated that he is “hurrying for” a return against the Commanders, while explaining that he planned to base himself in Pittsburgh during the bye to help speed his rehabilitation.

“I’m staying in rehab (in Pittsburgh) this week and trying to get back to Washington. That’s the goal,” Frazier said. “I’m getting better every day. By sticking with the rehabilitation and trusting it… I think I’ll be ready.”

The rookie second-round pick out of West Virginia started each of the first six games of the year for the Steelers and did not allow a sack while quickly becoming one of the more reliable centers in the league.

Be sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!