Steelers Starting RT Dealing With Injury

Steelers starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor is dealing with an elbow injury. He popped up on the injury report in a surprise on Wednesday and did not practice to start the week’s preparations against the Houston Texans.

Okorafor was not the only offensive lineman out with an injury. Right guard James Daniels was dealing with a groin injury and did not practice. No starting lineman on Pittsburgh’s squad has missed a game proper a year after the group saw nearly all their snaps played together with little worry for injury the entire season.

It is unknown just how minor or severe the injury is given that Okorafor was not named in Mike Tomlin’s injuries list during his press conference on Tuesday. If Okorafor could not play for some reason, that would mean the first career start for Broderick Jones, who has started playing at both left and right tackle the more profound the season has carried. Pittsburgh has looked to make sure that not only does Dan Moore Jr. know how to play both tackle spots but that their highly drafted rookie tackle can fit into that spot, too.

The Texans have some young pass rushers to worry about, with the top player on that list being Will Anderson. Anderson started his NFL career on a hot streak, and the tape is impressive. The Steelers will have to plan for some help to either side he lines up on, regardless if Okorafor is in there or not.