Steelers Lose Broderick Jones for the Season - And That Could Change Everything
The Pittsburgh Steelers are staring down a critical stretch of the 2025 season, clinging to a slim half-game lead in the AFC North as Week 13 kicks off. With the Baltimore Ravens reeling at 6-6 after a tough loss to the Bengals, the door is open for Pittsburgh to create some breathing room. But to do that, they’ll need to get past a Buffalo Bills team that, while inconsistent, still brings plenty of firepower - and now, the Steelers will have to do it without one of their most improved players.
Broderick Jones’ season is over. And that’s a big deal.
The second-year left tackle was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a neck injury in the Steelers’ win over the Bears. Reports indicate he’ll miss the remainder of the season - a devastating blow for both the team and a young player who was finally finding his rhythm.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a depth chart shuffle. Jones had been turning a corner in a big way.
After a rocky start to the year - allowing four sacks in his first two games - he locked in. Over the next nine games, he gave up just two more sacks and hadn’t allowed one in the last three weeks.
That’s not just improvement; that’s growth in real time.
And it wasn’t just about the sacks. Jones had started to clean up the penalties that plagued him as a rookie - just one flag this season after being hit with 10 last year.
His run blocking still has room to grow, but the physical tools are there. The footwork, the length, the athleticism - it’s all in the toolbox.
He was beginning to put it together, and more importantly, he was starting to play mistake-free football. For an offensive lineman, that’s the gold standard.
When you’re not hearing their name called, it usually means they’re doing their job.
Jones was getting to that point. And now, just as the Steelers gear up for a playoff push, they’ll have to move forward without him.
Enter Andrus Peat. But can he hold the line?
Veteran lineman Andrus Peat will step in at left tackle, and while he brings experience, it’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank - especially at this position. Peat has spent most of his 11-year career at guard, and it’s been nearly a decade since he’s played consistently well at tackle. That’s not to say he can’t rise to the occasion, but it’s a steep ask, especially with the stakes this high.
The Steelers don’t need Peat to be dominant. They need him to be steady.
Reliable. Serviceable.
Because every game from here on out carries weight. The AFC North is a logjam, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
One missed block, one blown assignment, and it could swing a game - and potentially the season.
Losing Jones hurts, no question. He was starting to look like the long-term answer at one of the game’s most important positions.
But the season doesn’t stop for injuries, and the Steelers still have everything to play for. If Peat can hold his own, Pittsburgh has enough elsewhere - on defense, in the run game, and with timely play from the quarterback - to stay in the hunt.
But make no mistake: this is a major test for a team that’s been grinding out close wins all year. The next man up isn’t just filling a spot on the line. He’s stepping into a role that could define how far this team goes in 2025.