Steelers center Zach Frazier back at practice, expects to play Sunday in Washington

So much for easing back into things.

After a two-week absence, Zach Frazier is back as a full participant at Pittsburgh Steelers practice this week. And the Steelers’ rookie starting center requested to his 300-plus pound defensive linemen teammates that they don’t take it easy on him.

“I had some people bull rush me just to feel it,” Frazier said after Wednesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “It felt good to me, so I am good. But I think that’s kind of the thing … you just want to feel it one time just to feel it and make sure it’s good.”

Frazier left the Oct. 13 win at the Las Vegas Raiders during the third quarter because of an injury that, at first glance, appeared as if it could be serious. But Frazier had to miss only two games. He said Wednesday that he expects to play when the Steelers return from their bye week at the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

“It’s just a getting-back-into-football-shape kind of thing,” Frazier said, “just extra conditioning trying to catch back up. And then just trusting (the ankle) again.”

A second-round pick, Frazier took over as starter following a season-ending injury to veteran Nate Herbig late in training camp. He is a candidate for the NFL all-rookie team.

Ryan McCollum played in Frazier’s place over the past 2½ games.

Frazier said the only time he previously missed a game because of injury in his football career was when he missed West Virginia’s bowl game last season.

“It wasn’t too fun,” he said of the past three weeks, “but I got through it.”