I do know this sounds like a put up about Broderick Jones and this might change into a put up about Broderick Jones. However this isn’t a put up about Broderick Jones. His analysis, like many others, stays incomplete. With an harm and simply two padded practices, there’s much more that wants examined earlier than feeling any kind of approach about Jones going into his vital third season. His begin actually is way from perfect, however it’s not the explanation why including a veteran offensive deal with ought to – and certain will – be on the Steelers’ to-do checklist come August cutdowns.
Pittsburgh entered camp in a shaky place. Depth was questionable. Calvin Anderson can play both spot however logged greater than 200 season snaps simply as soon as in his NFL profession. Dylan Prepare dinner created buzz in 2023 however hasn’t captured it since. Steven Jones and Gareth Warren aren’t next-man-up.
To his credit score, Anderson had an encouraging begin to camp with wins towards Alex Highsmith as Jones missed time. However late in Friday Night time Lights follow, Anderson limped off the sphere. Specifics of the harm aren’t identified however Mike Tomlin implied it’s one which’ll maintain him out in the interim, deeming it extra extreme than “day-to-day.” That might imply a spread of issues however at this level, it’ll be a plus only for Anderson to return by coaching camp’s finish in 9 days. Lacking a big chunk of the summer season appears believable.
Strains acquired so skinny that yesterday, Spencer Anderson kicked out and picked up a handful of left deal with reps. Regardless that he vowed to be carried out along with his deal with days, the Steelers are already pressured to discover each different two weeks into coaching camp.
Accidents have already piled up. Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo are recovering from mushy tissue accidents. Ryan McCollum has handled an on-off ailment all through camp. Anderson’s now down. Pittsburgh got here into the yr with far much less depth than a yr in the past and is already feeling the squeeze.
Which places Pittsburgh on exterior addition alert. There’s no magical choice to remedy every part. Offensive line expertise is scarce and groups who’ve it don’t wish to give it up. However the Steelers want to show over each choice. Whether or not it’s harm or Jones being ineffective through the season, Pittsburgh wants a Plan B to guard Aaron Rodgers.
It’s too early to create an inventory of names. That’ll come later this summer season. With out a lot examine, veterans value rattling off might embrace the Cleveland Browns’ Jackson Barton, Houston Texans’ Trent Brown, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ Wanya Morris, and Philadelphia Eagles’ Kendall Lamm. George Fant stays a free agent and will a reunion with Chukwuma Okorafor be on the desk?
None of these choices sound interesting. Relating to including offensive line assist in August, it hardly ever does. However the Steelers are on a course the place they’ll be scouring the waiver wire, and probably the commerce market, to beef up the trenches earlier than the common season kicks off. It’s certain higher to have depth and never want it than want it and never have it.
