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Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a><\/p>\n“Obviously, he had a significant injury and we\u2019re monitoring how he progresses,” Khan told local reporters. “I know he\u2019s working hard. It\u2019s early in the process. That\u2019s certainly something that we\u2019re monitoring.”<\/p>\n
This comes after Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac made it known that the team could have Jones back before training camp after undergoing fusion surgery on his neck. <\/p>\n
“The Steelers appear to have a more hopeful but still cautious outlook about the recovery of left tackle Broderick Jones,” Dulac reported.<\/a><\/p>\n “The team\u2019s No. 1 draft pick in 2023 could be ready for training camp in July after having neck surgery in December. His timetable might be six months, not nine months.”<\/p>\n Biggest Concern With Jones’ Injury<\/p>\n The Steelers don’t know for sure if Jones will be ready to go for the start of the season, and are not trying to talk themselves into believing he will be. Right now, they’re taking it day-by-day, hoping the former first-round pick is able to be back on the field at some point during the summer. <\/p>\n However, the issue with Jones is not whether or not he’s cleared to play but rather if he’ll return to full strength. <\/p>\n With neck injuries, you never know if a player is going to be 100% ever again. Pittsburgh believes Jones has a chance to be on the field in July but doesn’t know if he’ll be capable of bullying defensive lineman during live action. Until he’s able to, Pittsburgh can’t rely on him to be their starter in 2026. <\/p>\n Steelers Backup Plan<\/p>\n If Jones does not play to start the season, the Steelers appear ready to have Dylan Cook take over<\/a>, or at least hold the advantage in a competition. The 28-year-old started four games last season<\/a> and played in five, which were the first of his career. <\/p>\n The team decided the his performance last year was good enough to avoid signing a free agent. However, a lot of that will depending on Jones’ availability. If Jones is not ready for training camp, they could go after a free agent later in the summer, bringing in competition for Cook. <\/p>\n They could also look at options in the 2026 NFL Draft. While offensive tackle isn’t first on their list of priorities, they don’t know the future of the position, and if they selected one in any round, it should not surprise anyone. <\/p>\n