INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Steelers have decided who will start left tackle. It will be veteran Dan Moore Jr., returning from an MCL sprain he suffered against the Houston Texans. The rookie Broderick Jones, who showed out impressively against the Ravens, will be his backup. That is a decision that Tomlin mulled all week and said it would be a ‘big if’ that Moore would start. But that has come to fruition.
Moore was seen warming up with the first team offensive line at SoFi Stadium, so it is not surprising that Moore will start with the team out on the field. Jones will play if Moore ends up getting injured or struggling once again throughout the game against standout rookie pass rusher Byron Young.
“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.”
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.
So, the team will ride with the veteran, but the young guy will be waiting in the wings. Moore has allowed 20 pressures so far this year, but he hopes he can change his fortunes against the Rams and their defense.