The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has worked to overcome playing the first game of the season without Aaron Rodgers. But as backup, Mason Rudolph attempts to make a comeback, he’ll do so without his starting left tackle.
Broderick Jones was injured on a bizarre play as Rudolph evaded pressure and settled his feet for a deep throw with Jones blocking in front of him. Bears’ defender Dominique Robinson leaped in an attempt to swat the pass down, Jones delivered a block while Robinson was in the air, and Robinson subsequently pulled Jones down.
Jones left the game in frustration, slamming his helmet to the ground. He was quickly sent to the locker room, diagnosed with a stinger, and is questionable to return to the game.
Broderick Jones out after wild sequence, Steelers forced to adjust protection scheme
Without Jones, the Steelers turn to Calvin Anderson to fill in at left tackle. While Jones has been inconsistent in his career, he carries a weight of experience as a starter that Anderson simply doesn’t have. Anderson, a fifth-year player, played his first offensive snaps of the season when he stepped in for Jones.
Anderson played just 35 special teams snaps this season, coming into Week 12, a stark increase from the 12 he played in four games with Pittsburgh last season.
Nonetheless, Anderson appeared to hold his own for the remainder of the drive, as Jones was injured on as Rudolph connected with Pat Freiermuth for a touchdown to trim down Chicago’s lead. For Pittsburgh to have a shot at taking the lead, they’ll need Anderson to step up in a big way to make sure Rudulph isn’t threatened by the likes of Robinson and Montez Sweat, who have two sacks in the game.
READ MORE: Mason Rudolph’s poise has Steelers fans rethinking what comes after Rodgers
As for Jones, it was surprising enough to Steelers fans that Robinson wasn’t penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play that the former first-round pick suffered his injury. Nonetheless, Robinson left the game with his own injury just a few plays later.
We’ll continue to monitor Jones’ status as more information becomes available.