Steelers notes: Andrus Peat prepared to step in at tackle; Pat Freiermuth honored

For many of the 127 games Andrus Peat has played in the NFL, he’s been at offensive tackle.

Though Peat has much more regularly practiced at guard since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, out of necessity, his focus has shifted to tackle this week.

“Whatever the team needs to win,” Peat said after Wednesday’s practice, “I’m happy to do it.”

A neck injury to starting left tackle Broderick Jones caused the Steelers to move Peat to tackle in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Whereas Calvin Anderson has served as the “swing” backup tackle for the first 11 games of this season, coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday said that Peat is under consideration to start in place of Jones against the Bills.

But even if, as expected, Anderson starts, it would be Peat who serves as the backup tackle just one snap away from getting into the game on the far left or right side of the Steelers’ offensive line.

“I feel like you always got to prepare the same way as if you’re even a starter regardless of if you’re playing or not,” Peat said. “The process is always the same.”

Peat said even while he settled in as the No. 4 overall guard on the Steelers’ depth chart this season, he always made sure to squeeze in practice reps at tackle in case of an eventuality such as what has happened with Jones.

Peat, 32, was one of the 2015 draft’s top tackle prospects when he was taken with the No. 13 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. He was used more as a guard over nine seasons with that team, but in his most recent season as a regular starter (2023), Peat was a left tackle.

The Steelers signed Peat two weeks into training camp. He has appeared in one game so far this regular season — earning an official start at left guard Nov. 9, though that was because starter Isaac Seumalo was injured and replacement Spencer Anderson was kept in his role as an eligible extra tight end on the first snap.

After 11 seasons and three Pro Bowl berths in the NFL, it’s no sweat to Peat to fluctuate between tackle and guard.

“I feel like it’s easier just because I’ve done it a lot,” Peat said. “The timing is different, and you’ve got a little more space (at tackle). But I have done it midgame and midseason in the past, so I’m ready for whatever.”

Freiermuth honored

Tight end Pat Freiermuth was announced as the Steelers’ nominee for the NFL’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The league has given out the honor — named for the Steelers founder — since 2014 in an effort to recognize the players who “exemplify the spirit of fair play and the values of respect, integrity, commitment to team and resiliency at the highest level of competition.”

Each team nominates one player, and eight finalists will be selected before the award is presented in February off a vote by players.