A devastating blow has hit the Pittsburgh Steelers: rookie offensive tackle Broderick Jones is headed to injured reserve, throwing a wrench into their plans just before their crucial matchup against the Buffalo Bills. This news, officially announced by the team Saturday, means Jones will be sidelined for at least the next four games due to a neck injury. But here's where it gets controversial... how much will this impact the Steelers' offensive line, and could it potentially derail their playoff aspirations?
In addition to this setback, the Steelers have also elevated cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad to the active/inactive roster. This move aims to bolster their defensive backfield as they prepare to face the Bills' potent passing attack.
The injury to Jones occurred late in Week 12 during a frustrating loss against the Chicago Bears. He was reportedly pulled down awkwardly by a Bears defensive player, an incident that visibly upset Jones as he left the field. Initially, the injury was described as a stinger, a common football injury. But this was clearly more serious than initially thought.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin later clarified in his Tuesday press conference that it was indeed a neck injury, ruling Jones out of the Bills game. The severity of the injury necessitated the IR placement, guaranteeing his absence for at least a month. And this is the part most people miss... the long-term implications for Jones' development and the Steelers' line stability.
Stepping into Jones' shoes at left tackle will be veteran Andrus Peat, a former first-round pick. Signed by the Steelers during training camp, Peat has seen limited action this season, appearing in only one game where he logged eight snaps at left guard. If Peat performs well, he'll likely retain the starting role until Jones is healthy enough to return – if Jones returns at all this season. The earliest Jones could potentially return is Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns. However, keep in mind that before he can rejoin the 53-man roster, the Steelers must first designate him for return from IR.
Meanwhile, Asante Samuel Jr. is poised to make his Steelers debut. Signed on November 11th, Samuel last played in Week 4 of last season before undergoing spinal fusion surgery performed by a Steelers team doctor. Despite visiting other teams after being cleared, he ultimately chose to sign with Pittsburgh. What made him choose the Steelers? Was it the team doctor or something else?
Samuel spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, accumulating an impressive 37 passes defensed and six interceptions. He primarily plays as an outside cornerback. The Steelers boast considerable depth at cornerback this week, with Darius Slay returning from a concussion and James Pierre demonstrating strong performance recently. Joey Porter Jr. has also been a solid contributor. Given this depth, it remains unclear what specific role Samuel will play for the Steelers.
However, with Slay having dealt with injuries throughout the season and Porter being limited in practice this week (though he is expected to play), Samuel could see significant playing time, especially considering the Bills' frequent use of multiple wide receiver sets. Potentially, the Steelers might utilize Samuel to cover tight ends Dalton Kincaid or Dawson Knox, assuming Kincaid is healthy enough to play (he's currently listed as questionable with an injury).
Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former NFL All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel. The younger Samuel was a second-round pick by the Chargers out of Florida State in the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in 50 games with 47 starts for the Chargers. Had he remained healthy, he likely would have been a highly sought-after free agent this offseason. The Steelers are hoping Samuel can provide a boost to their defense in the second half of the season. With Jalen Ramsey transitioning to safety, Samuel offers another reliable option at cornerback.
Samuel will wear jersey number 22, the same number his father wore throughout his NFL career. With Samuel's elevation from the practice squad, the Steelers currently have one open spot on their 53-man roster. The team has frequently operated with a partially filled roster this season. Despite this, the gameday roster will still consist of 48 players, assuming they dress eight offensive linemen.
So, what do you think? Will Andrus Peat hold down the fort at left tackle, or will the Steelers struggle without Broderick Jones? And how much of an impact will Asante Samuel Jr. have on the Steelers' defense? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
