Zach Banner one of several linemen who could be in new spots for Steelers in opener

When the Pittsburgh Steelers named Zach Banner the starting right tackle for the season opener Monday night, they lost a popular eligible receiver and blocking tight end in the process.

Banner took all but three of his 216 snaps last season as an inline tight end, and if he continued in that role this year, he longed to catch a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner quashed such talk Thursday.

“It’s officially dead,” Fichtner said. “For sure.”

Banner feigned sadness when informed he won’t be an active part of the Steelers’ passing game. He frowned and stared at the ground before raising his head and flashing a broad smile.

“Even though I made that face, I’m just joking. I really am,” Banner said on a video conference call with reporters. “Whatever it takes to help the team, that’s my mindset. Even when I was at jumbo tight end, that’s why I put so much passion into it.”

Banner gained cult status among Heinz Field fans last year for the frequency in which his name was announced over the public address system as an eligible receiver. Banner would even try to hype the fans by motioning his arms in a plea for more noise.

“I need that passion to carry over to what I’m doing now,” Banner said. “We can all celebrate now, but if I go out Monday night and (stink), I’m done.”

Banner will be just one of several new faces in different spots when the Steelers open against the New York Giants. With right guard David DeCastro being slowed by a knee injury that has kept him out of practice for nearly two weeks, the Steelers could have starters in three new positions against the Giants.

Matt Feiler switched from right tackle to left guard, replacing the retired Ramon Foster. Free-agent signee Stefen Wisniewski will fill in at right guard if DeCastro can’t play. And Banner edged out Chuks Okorafor as starter at Feiler’s former spot.

Factoring in that center Maurkice Pouncey sat out the Week 17 game in Baltimore with a meniscus tear, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva will be the only returning starter at a familiar spot from the 2019 finale.

Fichtner, though, takes comfort in having Pouncey back to anchor the offensive line. Fichtner admitted Thursday to feeling “angst” about the possibility of having new starters at so many positions.

“Pouncey ties that whole thing together,” Fichtner said. “I think if Pounce wasn’t sitting there in the middle, I’d probably say it’s not angst, it’s nervousness. It would be a greater type of feeling for me. But I know these guys are preparing themselves and have been doing a nice job.”

Banner has spent this week of preparation for the Giants — and for chunks of training camp — having Wisniewski, a two-time Super Bowl champion and veteran of nine NFL seasons, line up next to him.

Wisniewski started at left guard during the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff run to the Super Bowl title, and most of his NFL experience has come at center or left guard — not on the right side.

“He knows all of his X’s and O’s,” Banner said. “He’s a smart guy. He works really, really hard and communicates really, really well. We’re both excited. He texted me congratulations when it was announced. It’s one of those things where you put on your hard hat and show up for work next to each other.”

Banner also is lean on game experience at the right side of the offensive line. His lone NFL appearance at tackle came in November 2017 when he played 24 snaps for the Cleveland Browns after starter Shon Coleman suffered a concussion against the Indianapolis Colts.

That has to seem like a lifetime ago for Banner, who was waived by the Browns and Carolina Panthers in 2018 before landing with the Steelers and spending that entire season as a gameday inactive.

“I never really think about it,” Banner said. “Just because it was a different organization, different team. When I look back at things like that, look at those pictures from the game. Look how big I looked. My hair was trash.”

Banner has slimmed down and cleaned up his appearance since joining the Steelers. And, for the first time in his NFL career, he is a starter, even if it comes at the expense of never being a viable receiving option. Okorafor is the top candidate to fill that blocking tight end role this year.

“Zach is that perfect example of a guy that took care of his body, committed himself to a routine, and he was fanatical about trying to do the right things physically,” Fichtner said. “Not just in the offseason. Every single day. It’s a credit to him. He brings an energy level. He’s excited about the opportunity to play and show toughness. I would think he would be anxious as well, but what a great opportunity in ‘Monday Night Football.’ He’s earned the job, and I’m excited to watch him play.”