That piece doesn’t look substantial enough to hang on that long and scrape that much off a tire. Like, if it was hanging down enough to rub, nothing would be holding it on.
But a lot of weight on a flat tire for a long time would make it wear on the edges instead of middle where it’s strongest
That is a really good point, looking back at the original image it looks like it might be shredded on both sides of the wheel which would support your theory.
It looks like there is a trim piece missing over the wheel, I’m willing to bet that was the culprit.
Edit: image of the missing part.
Could also be chronic under inflation.
That piece doesn’t look substantial enough to hang on that long and scrape that much off a tire. Like, if it was hanging down enough to rub, nothing would be holding it on.
But a lot of weight on a flat tire for a long time would make it wear on the edges instead of middle where it’s strongest
That is a really good point, looking back at the original image it looks like it might be shredded on both sides of the wheel which would support your theory.
I’d also wager the under inflated tire thrashing against the trim helped rip the trim off.
Someone took a bad bump