Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones is dealing with a groin injury, as reported by The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. The issue first surfaced on Saturday, when Jones continued to practice through the discomfort. However, he was sidelined for Sunday and Tuesday’s sessions.
Jones returned to the field on Wednesday in a limited capacity, participating in individual drills but sitting out of team work. In his absence, veteran Calvin Anderson took reps with the first team, a role previously filled by Dylan Cook as well.
Training camp has been a rough start for Jones. On the first day, he gave up two potential sacks, including one where Alex Highsmith easily beat him on an inside move. Things didn’t improve much by Friday, as Jones was again outmatched—this time by Nick Herbig’s spin move—and surrendered two more sacks.
Jones entered camp with high expectations, and the injury only complicates matters. Despite the rocky start, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear he still holds Jones to a high standard.
“We drafted him to play left tackle at a high level,” Tomlin said. “He came out young, so he’s been learning on the job. This is a critical year for him, and we expect him to deliver varsity-level play.”
Jones, for his part, remains confident and dismisses concerns about moving between left and right tackle early in his career.
“There’s not much difference,” Jones said on Friday. “I’ve been in the starting mix before. It’s still the same job to me. They want me at left tackle, so that’s my focus.”
If Jones can take a major leap forward in his third NFL season, it could significantly impact the future of Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
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