The Pittsburgh Steelers did a terrific job of addressing almost all of their needs during NFL free agency this spring. But the team might have a glaring need at left tackle based on the latest injury update with Broderick Jones.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday morning Jones suffered a setback in his neck injury. The ailment sidelined him for the final six 2025 regular season games and the playoffs.
Schefter provided a full update with a post on X.
“Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones suffered a setback to the neck injury he sustained last season, and is scheduled to be examined this week to determine whether he will be ready for training camp and/or the start of the season, per league sources,” wrote Schefter.
The update comes days before the Steelers could make 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Steelers might have already been planning on grabbing a tackle to provide depth. But the question is whether the team will more seriously consider elite tackle prospects with Jones’s injury setback.
Steelers LT Broderick Jones Suffers Injury Setback: Report
GettyESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones suffered a setback in his neck injury and will undergo more examination.
Jones sustained what the Steelers initially called a stinger on a play where a Chicago Bears defender tried to leap over Jones to knock down a pass during Week 12.
Two days after the injury, then head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out Jones for the following game. Before that contest, the team placed the left tackle on injured reserve.
Jones didn’t play the rest of the season.
Things appeared to be trending in the right direction over the past few weeks in Jones’s recovery. New offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio didn’t indicate any bad signs in the left tackle’s ability to get back on the field in a timely fashion when he spoke to reporters last week.
“With Broderick [Jones], we’ll get him back and healthy when he can get out there and start rolling,” said Angelichio on Thursday. “He’s been doing a great job, been here, been in the meetings, and going through with his injury.”
Schefter didn’t indicate when Jones suffered his setback. It appears something went south with the left tackle’s recovery the past few days.
How Jones Setback Could Impact Steelers 2026 NFL Draft
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
This is a key offseason for Jones, which makes his injury setback particularly noteworthy.
While the Steelers have a plethora of draft picks, the team also has to decide whether to exercise Jones’s fifth-year option by May 1. The Steelers will agree to pay the left tackle more than $19 million in 2027 with the option.
But if the Steelers fear Jones might not be available to play in 2026, then they could draft a new left tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. The higher that potential selection is, the less likely the team will be willing to commit to Jones’s fifth-year option.
Jones spent the first two years of his NFL career as a swing tackle in Pittsburgh. He struggled in that role, with right tackle not his natural position.
In 2025, Jones became the team’s starting left tackle. He displayed some growth in that job before his injury.
A year after selecting Jones in the first round, the Steelers drafted Troy Fautanu at No. 20 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Last season, Jones started at left tackle while Fautanu anchored right tackle.
But the Steelers could flip Fautanu to left tackle and draft a new right tackle if they wanted to.
The team also has tackles Dylan Cook and Jack Driscoll on their offseason roster. Cook replaced Jones at the end of the 2025 season and played very well.
Steelers depth offensive linemen Doug Nester and Lorenzo Thompson could also play tackle, but the team will likely add more tackle depth in the draft this week.
Steelers Get Bad Broderick Jones Injury Update Just Before 2026 NFL Draft: Report