Broderick Jones Expects to Start at Right Tackle in Season Opener

PITTSBURGH — When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round this past spring, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Broderick Jones would slide over to the left side. Steelers general manager Omar Khan even said at the NFL Combine in February that Jones was drafted to be a left tackle and will move there eventually. That was the plan, but it has been derailed due to Fautanu suffering an MCL sprain in the first preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Fautanu expects to practice next week and hopes to be active for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8. With missing two preseason games and a boatload of practice reps, it seems unlikely that the Steelers would start the rookie even if he’s healthy.

Dan Moore Jr. was solid at left tackle during the preseason, too. It appears the starting tackles in Week 1 will remain the same as last year — Moore at left tackle and Jones at right tackle. Jones expects to be at right tackle against Atlanta.

“Nine times out of 10, it will be right tackle,” Jones said. “Just from what I’m seeing, (but) you never know. People (are) always getting hurt. People (are) always moving around. You never know what could happen next week, so we just got to see.”

Jones doesn’t have a preference in regard to what side he plays on.

“Honestly, it’s the same,” Jones said when asked how he prepares mentally for each side. “It’s just being able to hone in on your skills and techniques. Once you know that and know the play calls like the back of your hand, I feel like the game comes easy because you’re just able to go out there and play to your best ability. Play fast, play physical. I feel like that’s all it is.”

If Jones has to flip back to the left side, it won’t be an issue.

“Wrinkles here and there. But for the most part, I think I’ll be alright,” Jones said about the possibility of switching to left tackle.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones during a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Jones allowed two sacks and two pressures in the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. He got absolutely destroyed by Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau on one of the sacks. Jones was very late on his punch. Jones had a better outing in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, but he still doesn’t look fully healthy.

Jones has worn a brace on his right elbow since the second week of training camp, but he says the injury is nothing major.

“I’m as healthy as I’m going to get with the season coming up,” Jones said. “Everybody is always playing with some minor injury that they got to push through it. I play O-line. It’s a physical brand of football here in Pittsburgh Pa., so everybody is going to have their nicks and bruises.”

He added, “It’s multiple things” when asked if the elbow injury is affecting his play. He admitted that wearing a brace is an adjustment, but it’s not an excuse.

“It’s not the brace,” Jones said. “The guys may think it is, but there’s nothing wrong with the brace. It’s me being able to lock in with football and just continue to grow as a player and trust in my game.

“We say, ‘Control what you can control.’ That’s out of my control,” Jones added about wearing a brace. “That’s just something I have to play through. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to take it off and don’t have to wear it, but you never know.”

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.