Steelers Place Guard Max Scharping on IR with Season-Ending ACL Injury, Try Out Five Offensive Linemen

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed offensive lineman Max Scharping on injured reserve due to a torn ACL suffered during practice, ending his 2025 season before he appeared in any games. To fill the depth gap, the Steelers elevated running back Trey Sermon to the active roster and have conducted tryouts with five offensive linemen—Karsen Barnhart, Leroy Watson, Chris Glaser, Lorenzo Thompson, and Sebastian Gutierrez—who offer versatility across guard and tackle positions. Scharping, a former second-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2019, joined the Steelers in October 2024 and was valued for his ability to play multiple interior line roles. The tryout players bring varied NFL experience; for example, Watson has 11 games and four starts, while others like Barnhart and Gutierrez have yet to establish themselves as regular starters but provide positional flexibility. The Steelers are actively evaluating these free agents to maintain offensive line depth amid injuries, reflecting a strategic approach to roster management. This response underscores the team's urgency to bolster their offensive line after losing a key backup contributor.