The Pittsburgh Steelers' OT, who was just benched, could surprisingly get a second chance

PITTSBURGH– Just a week after Broderick Jones was benched in Denver, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping their 2023 first-round pick can play a significant role against the Los Angeles Chargers. Troy Fautanu is coming off a strained knee and is questionable for Sunday's game. Just two days before the game against the Chargers, it remains difficult to imagine Fautanu playing.

That would put Jomes, who picked up three penalties in six games against the Broncos, back at right tackle. Regardless of the circumstances of his opportunity, head coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers would give Jones a chance to rebound. That could be it for him.

“I feel like I've gotten better this week in practice for the most part. I just have to keep staying upright. You know it's a long season. I always try to take care of my body as best as I can and just be available,” Jones said.

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Jones is tackling the opportunity with zeal, tuning out the social media noise from which much of his criticism has come and instead focusing solely on what he can do inside the building.

“I really don't care what people think. At the end of the day, I have to go out there and do my job the best I can,” Jones said.

Jones had a disastrous preseason and, while he played well against the Atlanta Falcons, was still not great. Fautanu gave the Steelers a new lease of life as a right tackle and showed why he could be the future of the team.

However, it appears he re-aggravated his previous knee injury, an MCL sprain, during Friday's practice. If he can't play, Jones will be able to show what he can do.