Steelers Get Big Update On Broderick Jones' Scary Neck Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a ton of uncertainty at the offensive line position in recent years. Even with all the draft capital invested in that area, there have still been a ton of questions. Isaac Seumalo just left in free agency, and many people were concerned if Broderick Jones would be able to play in 2026 after a neck injury ended his 2025 season. Those types of injuries are always scary and extremely volatile. It can take a short amount of time to heal, and it could also possibly end careers. 

During his weekly Q&A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo gave a big update on Jones' neck injury, and it is much better than many people feared at this point.

"Gerry Dulac reported yesterday that Jones might now be ready for camp," Fittipaldo said. "He said his recovery could be six months instead of nine months. He noted he had the same surgery as Asante Samuel Jr., whose recovery took a little longer. All neck surgeries are different, so they might put that off until they know for sure what's going on with Jones."

For many months, the lack of noise around Jones' camp was very concerning, but now, we have a much clearer vision on what the near future looks like for him. With a neck injury like that, the Steelers will definitely give him all the time he needs, but getting him back for training camp helps alleviate the need for a new left tackle in the offseason, whether it be in free agency or the draft. 

As maligned as Jones was entering the 2025 regular season, he did not do nearly as bad as people expected. He wasn't as good as the team had hoped for, but progress was definitely made. He had worked his way up to about a mid-tier blindside blocker that would show flashes of his elite upside in certain games, but he still needed more to get there. His major injury shut all that down early.

Steelers Won't Hand Jones The Starting Job After Recovering

After Jones went down, former undrafted free agent Dylan Cook stepped right in and played extremely well in his first regular season action at the NFL level. Once he stepped in for Jones and a couple other injured offensive tackles, he never gave his spot on the team up. He earned himself a spot on the 2026 roster for sure, but he may get a lot more than that if he keeps up his strong performance.

With Jones expected to heal up in training camp, expectations are that he and Cook will be in direct competition for the starting left tackle spot. Both men are in a contract year, especially since the Steelers are not expected to pick up Jones' fifth-year option. The loser will become the primary backup and possibly get some snaps on special teams and as a swing tackle next to the winner of the camp competition. 

Jones was a first-round pick that the Steelers traded up to select in 2023. Meanwhile, Cook went undrafted and has primarily been on the practice squad. It's clear who Pittsburgh wants to win the competition, but who they want and who they get may be completely different. As long as he has recovered from his neck injury, Jones will likely have pole position to start training camp.

Obviously, having to get a potentially career-ending surgery is never a good thing, but Jones has to prove that he can overcome that and return to the team mentally and physically stronger than before. The first concern will be that he is okay and can function well in daily life, and once that's confirmed, the Steelers can get him back on the field and give him a chance to earn his job back.

What do you think about Jones' positive update about his neck? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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