Maurkice Pouncey‘s broken fibula during an early preseason game forced the Steelers to take drastic measures to replace their All-Pro center. This granted Cody Wallace starting duties, and kept hopes high that the injury to their 2010 first round draft pick would heal in time for his return to the lineup later in the season.
Wallace’s prior experience at center lessened the worry of starting an unseasoned player on an offensive line that desperately needed to keep their starting quarterback upright if they had any shot at the playoffs in 2015. When Beachum’s knee injury occurred, the Steelers had very little in terms of depth to turn to.