Steelers Try Broderick Jones at Right Tackle

PITTSBURGH — When the Pittsburgh Steelers lost right tackle Chuks Okorafor late in Sunday’s season opener against the San Fransisco 49ers, rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones got the call.

Jones played all of four snaps, getting a quick first look at the NFL level in his first pro game. And he played those snaps at left tackle, with starter Dan Moore Jr. moving over to the right side to replace Okorafor.

“I think I did pretty well just sticking to my roots, and sticking to what coach Pat (Meyer) taught me,” Jones said.

Jones said coming into the game, that was the plan, that if Okorafor was injured, Moore would flip from left tackle to right.

But with Okorafor in the concussion protocol and less than a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, the Steelers did it the other way. Moore stayed at left tackle and Jones played right.

That could be a sign that they expect Okorafor to play — head coach Mike Tomlin expressed some optimism on the front on Tuesday — and therefore can let Moore get a week of practice in at left tackle, where he was PFF’s worst-graded offensive lineman in Week 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones talks with offensive line coach Pat Meyer at training camp on July 30, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

It also lets Jones get some experience on the other side and gives the team another option moving forward. Jones did not practice at right tackle at all with the Steelers until Wednesday, but he played there at Georgia, getting his first collegiate action at right tackle back in 2020 and playing nine snaps there in 2021.

“You’ve always got to be prepared no matter what the circumstance is,” Jones said.

The last thing it would do is take a potential rookie making his first start and move him away from all-everything Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who usually plays on the right side of the defense.

“I’ve watched a little bit of his game,” Jones said. “I’ve never really sat down and studied him because I’ve never played against him, but that’s something I’m looking forward to this week.”