Broderick Jones has been on the field with a helmet during the first couple OTAs, including Wednesday's session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. While that's initially an encouraging sign, he has yet to participate in team drills.
In addition, and far more concerning, his return is still very much up in the air.
"I really don't have a timeline. They never gave me a timeline," Jones said following Wednesday's practice. "They're just monitoring it day by day. We'll go from there."
Jones said his recovery from offseason fusion surgery is good. He's also been in good spirits, mixing it up with his teammates during stretching periods and in between drills.
"I feel fine," Jones said. "Just getting back to it."
Getting back to 100% is the main goal, and it's something that has some of the higher ups in the organization concerned. For months, nobody in the organization has had any inkling of when Jones would be able to return. And, they still don't know if he'll be ready to go by the time training camp begins or when the Steelers open the 2026 season at home against the Falcons on Sept. 13 at Acrisure Stadium. This is the main reason why the Steelers declined Jones' fifth-year option on May 1.
With Jones still working his way back, the Steelers have been cross-training their established offensive linemen. After two years at right tackle, Troy Fautanu has been working at left tackle in OTAs. Dylan Cook has been working on the right side, as has first-round pick Max Iheanachor. If Jones' recovery takes a turn for the better, Fautanu can move back over to the right side.
However, there's no guarantee that Jones could figure into the offensive line plans at all in 2026. Not only could the players establish themselves while Jones is sidelined, there's even a chance -- however small -- Jones never plays again. Ryan Watts, a sixth-round pick by the Steelers in 2024, had a similar injury and also underwent fusion surgery, and he wound up having to retire before ever taking an official NFL snap. These recoveries are wildly unpredictable. Jones' recovery is no exception.
"The whole process for me, just because it's my first serious injury, it's all new to me," Jones said. "I'm just trying to figure it out. I've got a great support system around me. The Steelers are my family. I've just gotta continue to do what I can do to get better, heal up and eventually get back on the field."
THE ASYLUM
'Day by day:' No timeline for Jones
Broderick Jones has been on the field with a helmet during the first couple OTAs, including Wednesday's session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. While that's initially an encouraging sign, he has yet to participate in team drills.
In addition, and far more concerning, his return is still very much up in the air.
"I really don't have a timeline. They never gave me a timeline," Jones said following Wednesday's practice. "They're just monitoring it day by day. We'll go from there."
Jones said his recovery from offseason fusion surgery is good. He's also been in good spirits, mixing it up with his teammates during stretching periods and in between drills.
"I feel fine," Jones said. "Just getting back to it."
Getting back to 100% is the main goal, and it's something that has some of the higher ups in the organization concerned. For months, nobody in the organization has had any inkling of when Jones would be able to return. And, they still don't know if he'll be ready to go by the time training camp begins or when the Steelers open the 2026 season at home against the Falcons on Sept. 13 at Acrisure Stadium. This is the main reason why the Steelers declined Jones' fifth-year option on May 1.
With Jones still working his way back, the Steelers have been cross-training their established offensive linemen. After two years at right tackle, Troy Fautanu has been working at left tackle in OTAs. Dylan Cook has been working on the right side, as has first-round pick Max Iheanachor. If Jones' recovery takes a turn for the better, Fautanu can move back over to the right side.
However, there's no guarantee that Jones could figure into the offensive line plans at all in 2026. Not only could the players establish themselves while Jones is sidelined, there's even a chance -- however small -- Jones never plays again. Ryan Watts, a sixth-round pick by the Steelers in 2024, had a similar injury and also underwent fusion surgery, and he wound up having to retire before ever taking an official NFL snap. These recoveries are wildly unpredictable. Jones' recovery is no exception.
"The whole process for me, just because it's my first serious injury, it's all new to me," Jones said. "I'm just trying to figure it out. I've got a great support system around me. The Steelers are my family. I've just gotta continue to do what I can do to get better, heal up and eventually get back on the field."
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