Steelers player Isaac Seumalo leaves training with a chest injury, but the season is not over

Isaac Seumalo left Pittsburgh Steelers practice early on Wednesday due to injury, but the illness reportedly does not mean the end of the season.

The team's veteran left guard Seumalo appears to have sustained a chest injury, according to an ESPN report, but initial tests suggest the injury is not serious.

Seumalo's spotting leaving practice early was not initially a cause for concern, as it is not unusual for a 30-year veteran to take time off. But Seumalo missed three key games due to injury in the four 2018-21 seasons, including missing the final three games of 2018 with a chest injury.

However, Seumalo played in all 20 of the Philadelphia Eagles' games on their way to the Super Bowl two years ago, and last season he played in all 18 of the Steelers' games (including the playoffs) – his first time since signing a three-year, $24 million free agent contract.

The only Steelers offensive games in which Seumalo was not on the field at left guard last season came in a Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in which Seumalo suffered a shoulder injury.

The Steelers open the season at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8. Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick would be the most likely candidates to replace Seumalo if he is unable to start. The Steelers' top backup on the offensive line, Nate Herbig, is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn rotator cuff during a practice earlier this month.

Anderson, a versatile seventh-round pick who joined the team as a rookie last season, practiced primarily as a second-team guard this preseason. McCormick was a fourth-round pick who practiced most often as a second-team left guard in training camp.

The Steelers players will have a four-day break starting Thursday. They will return to training on Monday to prepare for the season opener six days later.