During the Week 6 bye, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get mostly healthy. Diontae Johnson and Anthony McFarland Jr. have returned to practice as they remain on injured reserve (for now), while several others have healed from smaller injuries. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. is one of those others that has healed, as he dealt with an MCL sprain before the bye week. He seems likely to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, which has left questions at the left tackle spot.
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Steelers running back and kick returner Anthony McFarland Jr. is one of several players that was able to heal up during the team's Week 6 bye.
Broderick Jones saw his first career start in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, as Moore was unavailable due to injury. The University of Georgia product performed well, which led many to believe that he had taken over the starting job. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the rookie admitted that the team still doesn't know who will start at left tackle in Week 7.
"We still don't know yet, to this point. It's the same way as always, prepare for the worst. Always plan. Just be ready whenever your name is called," Jones said on Wednesday.
This only corroborates Head Coach Mike Tomlin's comments in his press conference on Tuesday, as he didn't give a definitive answer as to who will start. It did seem like Moore will be the guy if he is fully healthy, but things could change between now and Sunday. To begin the week, the veteran saw first-team reps at left tackle, a signal that he will likely start. Moore has 38 career starts under his belt, but has seen a dip in his performance to begin the 2023 season.
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Steelers 2021 fourth-rounder Dan Moore Jr. started right away for the Steelers, and he now has 38 career starts under his belt.
It seems inevitable that the 2021 fourth-rounder will eventually lose his job to Jones, but he's holding onto it for now. When the Steelers traded up to select Jones 14th overall in April's 2023 NFL Draft, many thought he would be an instant starter. If you look around the first half of the opening round, most of those guys started right away. Moore was able to impress coaches throughout the summer, as he ended up winning the competition.
When Will The Steelers Turn To Jones?
Protection has been much better from the left side with the rookie in the lineup, so it would be questionable as to why the Steelers would turn back to the veteran, Moore. Before Moore's injury, Jones saw just four offensive snaps in the first three weeks of the season.
Through the first month, the 2023 first-rounder has now registered 15 snaps on special teams as well. The team drafted him to be the guy along the offensive line, but they have used a cautious approach with him. It is important to remember that he appeared in just 25 games at Georgia, so he is still a bit of a raw prospect. Still, if he's the best option that the team has to offer right now, why wait around?
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Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones was seen as one of the most talented prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, thus why the team gave up draft capital to move up and select him.
That's what fans are asking. To make matters more interesting, the team inserted Moore into the starting lineup right away to begin his career. Despite being a fourth-rounder, he started 17 games in his rookie season, which included the playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. These are two different situations, as the team has more depth now, but it's curious as to why the Steelers continue to hold back their early draft picks.
Do you think the team will end up going with Moore if he is healthy? How do you think Jones performed against the Texans and Ravens? Do you agree with the team continuing to ease rookies into extended playing time? Share your thoughts in the comments below, yinz!
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