Typically when you think of training camp injuries, it is always bad news. However, in the case of the Pittsburgh Steelers and center J.C. Hassenauer, his injury could be helping this team.
Hassenauer has been sidelined for several practices with a leg injury, which has opened the door for rookie center Kendrick Green to get a more pronounced role with the first-team offense.
Green was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Illinois and despite only a handful of starts at center in college is in line to be the heir apparent to Maurkice Pouncey. Early reports from head coach Mike Tomlin about Green have been promising, praising not only his communication but also his conditioning.
“I like what he did from a conditioning standpoint between the end of the spring and now,” Tomlin said. “You can see he’s one of those guys who took a step. That month or so away from us, man, he really spent that time in the right areas, and it should be continually beneficial for him.”
When it comes to Tomlin, if you are a young player, physical conditioning is key to getting on the field. Every season you can divide up the rookies who put in the time in the offseason working on improving their conditioning and those who did not. Green is making a strong case to be the opening week starter at center despite the depth chart listing Hassenauer in that spot.
