The Pittsburgh Steelers face fresh concern in the NFL offseason after left tackle Broderick Jones suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious neck injury.
Jones’ injury dates back to a Week 12 loss against the Chicago Bears in November 2025. What first appeared to be a minor stinger quickly turned into a major issue. A defender landed awkwardly on him, leading to significant neck damage. Doctors later confirmed the need for spinal fusion surgery, which he underwent in December.
Now, according to the new update on Monday from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jones will undergo further evaluation this week.
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“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.” Schefter posted on X.
The young tackle had shown early progress during offseason workouts. Coaches believed he could return in time for camp. However, this setback now raises doubt about his timeline. Medical staff will assess whether he can safely resume football activities or needs extended recovery.
Before the injury, Jones had taken over as the full-time left tackle. He played 632 offensive snaps across 11 games in 2025. His overall grade stood at 57.7, placing him among the lower-ranked tackles.
Jones allowed 23 pressures, including six sacks, which highlighted struggles in pass protection. Still, he improved discipline, committing just one penalty after earlier issues.
The Steelers will now prepare for multiple scenarios. Depth at offensive tackle becomes a key focus if Jones misses time. Protecting the quarterback remains critical for a team that already dealt with inconsistency on offense.
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Pittsburgh will enter 2026-27 after a 10–7 season in 2025-26, backed by a strong defense led by T. J. Watt. Still, Jones’ health could influence how far the team can push in a competitive AFC North.