Steelers lose Isaac Seumalo again, survive Aaron Rodgers' pregame injury scare to win

The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to finish a second consecutive game without their veteran starting left guard.

Isaac Seumalo’s pectoral injury again apparently flared up during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 27-20 victory against the Indianapolis Colts. Seumalo similarly had been forced to leave the defeat to the Green Bay Packers seven days earlier because of a pectoral injury. He then barely practiced throughout the week, taking the field only Friday with a “limited” participation designation.

A 10-year NFL veteran who turned 32 last week, Seumalo is by far the eldest member of the Steelers’ offensive line unit.

Spencer Anderson, as he did last week, replaced Seumalo at left guard. The domino effect, however, meant Anderson was unavailable to line up as the “jumbo” tight end in the “big” package the Steelers have run with effectiveness this season.

Speaking after the game, coach Mike Tomlin did not provide a substantive update on Seumalo’s condition.

Seumalo was still in uniform and meeting with his teammates on the sideline throughout the fourth quarter.

Rodgers unaffected

A CBS report less than hour before Sunday’s kickoff sent a scare into some Steelers fans. The network that was televising the game showed video of quarterback Aaron Rodgers appearing to be suffering from pain in his right (throwing) hand after taking a snap from center Zach Frazier during warmups.

Rodgers made some movements to indicate pain and frustration, shaking his hand at his side for a time period.

Aaron Rodgers may have suffered an issue with his hand during pregame warmups. pic.twitter.com/iin6qGQxBf

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) November 2, 2025

Rodgers, though, continued to warm up with no glove or wrap or other impediment. There is no indication he sought or received any formal medical treatment, and when the game began Rodgers was throwing with no glove or wrap or other encumberment.

Rodgers appeared no worse for the wear, completing 25 of 35 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Though it was his second-worst passer rating for a game this season, at 95.3 Rodgers’ number was still more than respectable.

Other ailments

A pair of starters on defense — cornerback Darius Slay and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith — briefly left the game during the first quarter because of injury. Slay had a hand injury. While Highsmith’s ailment was not disclosed, he was limping off the sideline at one point.

Highsmith, in particular, played as if he was unaffected by any injury. He had two sacks (one of them accompanied by a forced fumble), three tackles for loss and a tipped pass.