Broderick Jones not sure when he will return

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – During his first three seasons with the Steelers, one thing you could count on with tackle Broderick Jones was a huge smile. He was a guy who didn’t seem to sweat the small things. Now he’s dealing with adversity crashing down on him.

Jones was trending up in his third season. Heading into the Week 12 game at the Bears, Jones had played some of his best football. That’s where it changed. Jones suffered what was first to believed to be a stinger, but turned out Jones suffered a major neck injury and wasn’t seen around the team after that point.

“The whole process of me just, because this is my first serious injury, so it's all new to me, you know, just trying to figure it out,” Jones said after OTAs on Wednesday. “But you know I got a great support system around me with the Steelers, with my family, so I just got to continue to do what I can do to get better and heal up and then eventually get back on the field.”

It was a pivotal moment for the 2023 first-round pick. Along with the injury, the Steelers needed to decide if they would pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract after the 2025 season. It’s unknown if they would have picked it up anyway, but with the injury, they didn’t.

The 6’5”, 311-pound Jones, who looks much slimmer this season, said he has to take it day-by-day. He’s talking to people about the injury and his feelings, he said you got to lean on your teammates. Those guys in the locker room have been huge for the former Georgia player.

“I feel like it's been pretty solid for me just because of the foundation that I have around me,” Jones said.

Jones, who just days ago turned 25-years-old, said he’s not sure when he might return. Not just to playing in a game, but just to resume a full practice. They haven’t given him any idea of when he might be back. He’s told by the Steelers that they will monitor his injury every day and go from there.

It’s out of his hands. He’s just trying to stay positive.

”I’m ready,” Jones said. “This is my first serious injury. I haven’t missed football in years. So, it’s all new, but, I’m just ready for camp to come around to get back out there with the guys.”