PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin did not name a starting left tackle for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. While Dan Moore Jr. took the first-team reps on Monday and appeared as the starting left tackle on the team’s depth chart, Tomlin put that decision up in the air for Sunday. Even if Moore is healthy to play, he will give both players an entire week to prove to the Steelers coaching staff they are the better player.
“That’s a big if,” Tomlin said when asked if Moore would start. “We’ve got some work ahead of us. He’ll be given an opportunity to show his progress over the course of the week, and we’ll make that decision at the appropriate time. It doesn’t behoove us to make hypothetical statements in the early portions of the week. He looked pretty good yesterday. We’ll see where the week leads us.”
On Monday, Moore confirmed that he took the first-team reps. He is returning from an MCL sprain that he suffered in Houston. However, Moore is unsure if that plan will stick throughout the rest of the week, and it seems that Tomlin did not shed much light on that, either.
“I wouldn’t say that (Jones is relegated to backup),” Moore said. “An injury like that, it’s unexpected. You don’t really know what’s going to happen. I’m just showing up and going to work.”
Moore was impressed by Jones’ play against the Ravens. Jones has to work on hand usage, but that will only come with experience. Moore’s potential return to the lineup is curious, but offensive line coach Pat Meyer said last week that the team is taking it slow with Jones. He’s a young, raw player who they know will get better, but there is some trepidation to throw him to the wolves.
The Steelers have a decision to make, and after Jones’ performance against the Ravens, it only makes sense for them to ride that wave. Still, the team might return to Moore if they believe he is the best option despite his early season struggles in pass protection. Jones has plenty of technical items to improve, but a lot of that will only improve with more playing time rather than sitting on the bench.