Steelers' Nate Herbig Injured; Is Rookie Ready To Start?

In this year’s NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers used the No. 51 overall pick in the second round to draft center Zach Frazier out of West Virginia.

Thought to be the long-term solution at center, Frazier will be thrust into the spotlight as he stakes over for injured starter Nate Herbig.

So "long-term'' begins now.

“Nate’s got an injury that’s being continually evaluated,” coach Mike Tomlin said when asked about Herbig’s status postgame. “I think he’s getting a second opinion. I want to wait to that. I’ll give you guys some information probably the next time we come together, but I was largely satisfied with the work that I saw from Zach.”

Well, now we know the nature of the injury. The torn rotator cuff is a problem.

Can a rookie be the solution?

Frazier has played very well in the time he has been on the field and there should be no continuity issues there. Indeed, Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is very high on Frazier and believes he will do just fine.

Related: Steelers' Tomlin Reveals 'Small Problem' Held Bishop Jr. Out vs. Bills

“Zach’s a hard worker,” Fields said. “He’s humble, doesn’t say much, but boy, he works. So glad to have him on the o-line and I mean, he’s a strong, strong boy.

“He’s smart too, so it’s great to see a rookie that young, that smart controlling where the protections are going. I’ll flip a protection, and he already had done it before I’ll even do it sometimes. So just seeing that from him, knowing how smart he is, is definitely a good thing to see.”

Is the rookie ready to do this job in a "strong, strong'' way?

The Steelers' time to find out is now.