J.C. Hassenauer latest ‘next man up’ contributing to Steelers

Since graduating high school as an All-American and the top-rated center prospect in the country in 2014, J.C. Hassenauer had started all of 11 games.

At any level.

Three in college and eight for the Birmingham Iron of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

That changed Wednesday. Hassenauer played the entire game at center for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 19-14 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I appreciate his willingness to answer the bell and his overall readiness,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

Hassenauer was summoned to action after eight-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey was placed on the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list three hours prior to Wednesday’s kickoff.

Did a 2019 in professional football that went from Iron to Steel provide J.C. Hassenauer with enough mettle to make it over the long term in the NFL?https://t.co/MczSNPaktD

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 10, 2020

Hassenauer’s NFL career had consisted of 26 offensive snaps over the three seasons in which he was part of two NFL organizations. The Steelers signed him in the spring of 2019 after the AAF folded. Hassenauer signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2018, spending most of that season on their practice squad.

Lost amidst the scores of talent at Alabama, Hassenauer’s only starts came during his senior year. But two of them were big ones: against rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl and against Georgia in the College Football Playoff national title game.

Over the 20 months since he joined the Steelers, Hassenauer gradually earned his way up the depth chart. He was added to the 53-man roster for the season finale last year and has been a gameday regular in 2020. The Steelers would not have released veteran Stefen Wisniewski last month if not for faith in Hassenauer’s ability to fill in at center when needed.

As the No. 4, No. 3 or even No. 2 center during his time with the Steelers, Hassenauer has had precious few practice reps with quarterback Roethlisberger, who did not play after Week 2 last year and who frequently sits out practices for maintenance reasons.

But Roethlisberger said there were no issues with the center-QB exchange Wednesday.

“He needs to be commended for that,” Roethlisberger said. “I thought he did a great job being thrown into the fire. This is not an easy defense with looks and things.”

Pouncey, in theory, could be activated just in time to play in the Steelers’ next game, Monday against the Washington Football Team. If Pouncey did not test positive for coronavirus and is on the covid list merely because of a close contact, the minimum stay on the list is five days.

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