How Broderick Jones injury setback changes Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 NFL Draft plans
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How Broderick Jones injury setback changes Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 NFL Draft plans originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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It wasn't long ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers looked to be doing OK at the offensive tackle position.
Sure, Broderick Jones has been disappointing and suffered a significant neck injury last season, but all signs pointed to him being on the comeback trail and on track to return to his starting job at left tackle in what is going to be a crucial year for him.
“Broderick’s starting to do more and more,” general manager Omar Khan said last month. “I’ve talked to him a couple of times over the past couple of weeks. He’s in a good place. He’s ready to work hard and do whatever he can to be ready to go.”
With Troy Fautanu on the other side, the Steelers had the luxury of not having to be aggressive for a left tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft, but those plans might have now changed.
Broderick Jones injury update
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jones has suffered a setback in his recovery from a neck injury that previously required surgery.
Now, Jones isn't certain to be ready for Week 1 and Schefter rightly notes that the setback could alter Pittsburgh's draft plans.
"For starters, left tackle Broderick Jones had 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," he said. "That could influence whether Pittsburgh needs to find a new left tackle during the first two days of the draft."
How Jones' setback impacts Steelers' draft plans
As Schefter notes, the Steelers might have an added emphasis on drafting a left tackle over the first two days of the draft.
Jones was already on shaky ground because of his struggles over three seasons, but he figured to get another opportunity in 2026 and the Steelers wouldn't be rushed to draft a potential replacement this year.
The expectation is there is going to be a run on offensive tackles start may start as early as late in the top 10, which could force the Steelers to trade up if they don't want to miss out on some of the best players at the position in this year's class.
Luckily, Pittsburgh is well-equipped to move up, with the team having a whopping 12 picks in this year's draft, including five over the first three rounds.