Broderick Jones has been a standout on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line this preseason for all the wrong reasons. Jones has been slow to begin the second-year leap Mike Tomlin expects from his 2023 NFL draft class.
According to advanced stats from Pro Football Focus, Jones has allowed four quarterback pressures in the form of two sacks and two hits on quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Jones has been donning a brace since injuring his right elbow on the first play of the Steelers’ first training camp practice.
Jones had this to say when asked if the brace is affecting his performance:
It is not the brace. Guys may think it is, but it is nothing wrong with the brace, it’s just me being able to lock in with football and just continuing to grow as a player and trust in my game and just going from there.
Playing with a brace has to be a significant adjustment, as is repping to play at left tackle but starting on the right. Jones could’ve easily fallen on either excuse as to why he’s slow to meet expectations.
If it’s not his elbow and not the constant flipping sides for Jones, then what is it?
Asked if he's healthy, Steelers OT Broderick Jones said he's as "healthy as I'm going to get."
He also added the elbow brace he's been wearing isn't affecting how he's playing, but he said it was an adjustment.
He also said flipping sides of the line hasn't affected him.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 20, 2024
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]