PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest loser in their second preseason game was offensive tackle Broderick Jones. And while calls are growing to move the former first-round pick to the left tackle position to solve the problem, that’s not the right move. At least not yet.
The injury occurred on seven shots. With the offense at the goal line against the defense, the Steelers ran the ball up the middle and Najee Harris found the end zone. In the backfield, Jones grabbed his right elbow in pain, and the trainers immediately came over to examine him.
Just two plays later, he was back in practice.
Since then, Jones has been wearing a rather bulky arm brace that supports everything he has done with his elbow. What exactly the injury is is unknown, but it continues to linger and cause problems with his game.
Jones told Alan Saunders of Steelers Now that the brace is holding him back and making many of the things he has to do as a blocker more difficult. It’s probably not the cause of all of the problems Jones is having on the field, but it’s definitely not helping, and the Steelers need to consider giving him a break.
The Steelers will ultimately start Jones at left guard, with rookie Troy Fautanu at right tackle. At least, that’s the plan. But now it’s time to bench him.
The Steelers may not like what they’re getting from Jones, which is why they’re looking to shake off the rust. But at the same time, you have to consider what’s to come. Jones is the future left tackle of this organization, and if they’re thinking about a Super Bowl run in 2024, they don’t want to let injuries happen. Especially not to their franchise tackle.
Rather than letting him continue to get beat on the outside, maybe it’s time to shut Jones down until the regular season. It’s not ideal, but it’s safe. Right now, the best thing the Steelers can do is get him off the elbow brace if possible and get back to playing successful football.
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