I saw this today. It is a front porch with brick above supported by a steel lintel. The lintel is not supported at either end. No cracks or sags and other units in the complex had the same issue. Am I not seeing something, I have always seen lintels supported on both ends.
Supported in depth, not length
I wonder what the other side looks like as far as what is holding the lintel in place and notice it is not primed or painted.
Were there weep holes?
I am not quite sure from the pic, though it looks like I see vertical mortar openings.
I cannot tell from the pic but it is probably bolted to framing behind if not at ends.