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305-pound Steelers OL Spencer Anderson revels in reception, possible upcoming start at guard

Chris Adamski
| Monday, October 27, 2025 3:40 p.m.
Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson runs with the ball after a catch as an eligible receiver early during Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (No. 58) needs help from defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (left) to bring him down.

After dutifully running his inward-facing palms up and down over his chest toward the referee to signal he was reporting as an eligible receiver, the last thing that Spencer Anderson thought Sunday night was that he would end up as, well, an eligible receiver.

“When I came in, I figured it’d be a run (play call),” the 305-pound Anderson said Monday, referring to the second Pittsburgh Steelers offensive snap of Sunday night’s game. “And then once I heard the play call, I was like, ‘Oh, we’re for real here.’ So I ‘chipped’ — and then got out to the flat.”

And that’s when Aaron Rodgers ultimately looked Anderson’s way — making his first career throw against the team he played his first 18 seasons for, the Green Bay Packers.

“He kind of threw a rocket,” Anderson said. “But I caught it.”

Spencer Anderson might be the largest man I've ever seen catch a football. pic.twitter.com/mpBJv3XQ7u

— TB ???????????? (@turt1ebear) October 27, 2025

Anderson then plowed forward for an additional 3 yards, at that, making for a 4-yard “big man” reception. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt was needed to come finish the play for Green Bay — 227-pound linebacker Isaiah McDuffie simply couldn’t make the tackle on his own.

“I mean,” Anderson said, flatly, “I’m way bigger than him. So I would imagine it would be a struggle to take me down.”

Was Anderson the fifth (of five) options for Rodgers to throw to on the play? Was he — good gracious! — the primary receiver?

Don’t ask Anderson.

“I think I was the ‘check down.’ I mean, I don’t know all the route concepts,” he deadpanned.

“But I believe I was the check down. I saw Aaron’s head turn right, middle, and I’m like, ‘Uh, oh.’ ”

That play ended well for Anderson. But by the end of the game, he was back in a more traditional role as the Steelers’ left guard. That’s because veteran Isaac Seumalo left the game with a pectoral muscle injury. A third-year pro, Anderson has served as the Steelers’ top backup at guard for the past two seasons.

When asked about Seumao’s injury after the game, Rodgers couldn’t resist referring to Anderson in quipping, “It took one of our pass catchers off the field and into the offensive line.”

There is no immediate word on the severity of Seumalo’s ailment. But Anderson is ready to step in as needed. He’s made six prior career starts at guard, including during the Steelers’ playoff game this past January. Anderson also extensively repped at first-team guard throughout training camp and the preseason while Seumalo rested and/or nursed injuries. It is not uncommon for Seumalo, additionally, to get “veterans days off” during the regular season.

“Obviously, I feel most comfortable at guard,” Anderson said, “so it’s no different, honestly. It’s just another day at the office.

“But I know, obviously, we couldn’t run our ‘heavy’ stuff because Isaac got hurt.”

That “heavy stuff” Anderson is referring to is the “jumbo” package that the Steelers have run so much so far this season — the personnel grouping that features an offensive lineman (Anderson) as an extra “eligible” tight end. The Steelers’ running game has taken off in correlation with the increased use of the package.

Incidentally, backup tackle Calvin Anderson is the “next man up” in that role in the event Seumalo cannot play and Spencer Anderson is called into duty at guard. A six-year veteran in his second season with the Steelers, Calvin Anderson has 14 career starts on his resume. He said Monday he has experience as a “jumbo” tight end from his time with the Denver Broncos.

“I’ll be ready if they need me,” Calvin Anderson said.


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