With Spencer Anderson looking increasingly likely to start due to injury, what will the Steelers do with the jumbo package? OC Arthur Smith isn’t about to tell—he would rather let the Colts’ defense find out on Sunday. Steelers opponents have certainly noted the impact the package has had on their offense, but Anderson has been a part of the reason why.
Starting LG Isaac Seumalo suffered a pectoral injury last Sunday, and he has not practiced this week. Assuming he can’t go, Anderson would start in his place and the Steelers would have to figure out what to do in the jumbo package. They did run it twice with Anderson at guard, using backup C Ryan McCollum. But they also have T Calvin Anderson and T/G Andrus Peat available.
After losing Isaac Seumalo on Sunday night, Spencer Anderson took over at LG. The team then used Ryan McCollum as an extra OLineman on the 2-point try. Moving forward, wonder if Andrus Peat might start getting a helmet and playing that extra role. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/IfLhqnAZGh
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 28, 2025
“It’s a great question”, Smith said about what they would do with the jumbo package if Anderson starts, via the Steelers’ media department. “It goes back to strategy. See if we’re out of it, and if we’re not, let Lou [Anarumo]’s and Indy’s defense figure it out Sunday”.
Anarumo is the Colts’ defensive coordinator, the Steelers’ next opponent. While he is well-versed in the Steelers, having coached for the Bengals, they didn’t have the jumbo look last year. Really, they never have before—not quite this way. With Darnell Washington verging on being an offensive lineman himself, they have a lot of meat in that look.
Smith also talked a lot about Spencer Anderson specifically and his importance to the Steelers success in the jumbo package. A third-year veteran with some starts under his belt, he has carved out a niche as a tackle-eligible. Pittsburgh is not new to that wrinkle, but Zach Banner never saw a target, then, did he? Then again, Smith insists Anderson was the fifth read on his early catch against the Packers.
“Spencer has done a really, really good job in all those different roles”, Smith said of Anderson, making a big deal about his catch all the same. The fact that the Steelers threw the ball to him in the jumbo package makes defenses scout for that possibility. “In the game, you saw him. He went in there at guard. He prepares. I’ve been very impressed with everything we’ve asked him to do”.
But has Smith been impressed with what he’s asked anybody else to do who might fill in on that jumbo package role? That’s the question, and he’s not answering until the Steelers take the field against the Colts. There’s no incentive for him to do so, of course. After all, why would you reveal a game plan to your opponent in advance? But until they prove they can run it effectively without Anderson, it remains a legitimate question—and concern.
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