During the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday night preseason win over the Buffalo Bills, backup center Cody Wallace suffered a fractured finger that needed to be surgically repaired and as a result he will sit out the Thursday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Wallace already being ruled it for the third preseason game, Steelers fifth-round draft pick Wesley Johnson can probably expect to be the one to take over at center for starter Maurkice Pouncey in the second half.
Johnson has played exclusively at center so far during the preseason to the tune of 35 snaps.
The Steelers could possibly get backup offensive lineman Chris Elkins some playing time at center as well against the Eagles. Elkins, who signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, started his final 38 games at right guard and center while at Youngstown State.
As for Wallace, who the Steelers signed to a three-year contract during the offseason, it will be interesting to see if he’s also held out of the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers as well in order to make sure that he’s fully recovered for the regular season opener at Heinz Field against the Cleveland Browns.
