Steelers notebook: J.C. Hassenauer gets the start at center over Kendrick Green

Ben Roethlisberger had a new center snapping the ball for his final game at Heinz Field.

Rookie Kendrick Green did not start for the first time this season because of a calf injury, paving the way for J.C. Hassenauer to take his place at center for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Monday night against the Cleveland Browns.

Hassenauer started three times at center in 2020, but his only start this season was at guard when the Steelers played at the Los Angeles Chargers. He has appeared in 12 games this season.

Green left last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs because of injury and did not practice until Saturday — even then, only in a limited capacity. Even so, he was in uniform Monday.

With Devin Bush and Joe Schobert on the reserve/covid list, Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen got the start at inside linebacker Monday night. It was the first start of the season for Allen, who entered the game having played only 17 defensive snaps on the year. The backups at the position were Ulysees Gilbert III, who entered the game having played nine snaps on defense for the season, and Tegray Scales, who was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad this week.

Harris breaks record

Najee Harris became the second Steelers rookie running back to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in the first quarter, then broke Franco Harris’ rookie rushing record in the third.

Harris entered the game with 986 yards. On the second series, an 8-yard run pushed his season total to 999. On the next play, he gained 6 yards to reach the milestone.

Franco Harris gained 1,055 yards in his rookie season 1972, but Najee surpassed that on the Steelers’ opening drive of the second half.

Najee Harris entered the game already holding the franchise record for scrimmage yards, receptions by a rookie (regardless of position) and receiving yards by a rookie running back.

It’s the 25th Steelers season featuring a 1,000-yard rusher. Harris is the 66th rookie in NFL history surpass 1,000 rushing yards.

Waitman punts again

For the second consecutive game, Corliss Waitman handled the punting duties Monday. Signed a day before last week’s game following the death of rookie punter Pressley Harvin III’s father, Waitman averaged 60.5 yards on two punts in his NFL debut against the Chiefs.

Harvin missed practices all this past week.

Waitman is a first-year player who was part of the Steelers’ practice squad as a rookie last season.

Coward, Edmunds added

Veteran guard Rashaad Coward and special-teamer Trey Edmunds were elevated from the practice squad for the must-win game against the Browns. Officially, they were added as replacements for players on the covid list.

In addition to Allen and Bush, slot cornerback Arthur Maulet and defensive lineman Chris Wormley were starters on defense to miss the game while on the covid list. A week after making his first career start, rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk started in place of Wormley; Cameron Sutton moved inside to play nickel with Akello Witherspoon serving as the No. 3 cornerback Monday.

Two Steelers reserves on offense — tackle Zach Banner and running back Anthony McFarland Jr. — also were not in uniform against the Browns because of covid.

Rookie linebacker Buddy Johnson did not play because of a foot injury, and the Steelers’ healthy scratches were No. 3 quarterback Dwayne Haskins and defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs.

No Hunt

The Browns were without former NFL rushing champion Kareem Hunt, who missed a third consecutive game because of an ankle injury.

Quarterback Kyle Lauletta, cornerback Troy Hill, safety Ronnie Harrison Jr., safety John Johnson III, linebacker Mack Wilson and guard Hjalte Froholdt were Cleveland’s other inactives.

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