Steelers’ Broderick Jones Shares Update on Injury Ahead of Bengals Game
No need to panic, Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Starting LT Broderick Jones popped up on the injury report on Wednesday with a groin injury, sparking concern about a key piece of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Jones was listed as a non-participant in practice, but the man himself delivered some good news on Thursday.
According to Brooke Pryor, the Steelers beat reporter for ESPN, Jones said that this injury is a re-aggravation of the injury that was bothering him throughout training camp. Jones dealt with a groin issue over the summer but didn’t miss any time during the regular season. He told Pryor it’s a “minor tweak” and he did all his usual practice work, just with fewer reps. The Steelers officially listed him as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
Jones is a former first-round pick out of Georgia who’s now in his third season in the league. It’s been a bit of a struggle for Jones this season, who switched from right tackle to left tackle this offseason as former Steelers LT Dan Moore Jr. signed with the Titans in free agency.He’s the 62nd-graded qualifying offensive tackle in the league, per PFF.
An athletic marvel in college, Jones hasn’t ever been able to put it all together in the NFL — at least not yet. Still, losing him would be a big blow for Pittsburgh’s offense, and if he couldn’t go, they’d turn to Calvin Anderson. Jones’ practice status on Friday will likely be indicative of his status for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are Looking Over Their Shoulder in the AFC North
Justin Berl/GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 09: Broderick Jones #77 of the Pittsburgh Steelers takes the field for the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The Steelers got off to a big lead in their division, starting 4-1 with wins over the Patriots and Vikings while watching the rest of the AFC North struggle. The Bengals lost star QB Joe Burrow in the second game of the season and haven’t recovered — meanwhile, the Ravens started 1-5 due a deluge of key injuries and an atrocious defense.
But now that gap is starting to narrow. The Browns aren’t a threat, and the Bengals have lost two straight after upsetting Pittsburgh back in Week 7. But the Ravens are gaining some momentum, winners of three straight and with a very soft upcoming schedule.
If the Steelers want to hold onto their division lead, they have some work to do. Currently, Pittsburgh is just one game up on Baltimore with both head-to-head matchups still upcoming. That lead could be erased in an instant if Pittsburgh isn’t careful.
Few Easy Games Remain on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Schedule
Complicating things for the Steelers is their upcoming schedule. They got a major upset win over the Colts in Week 9 to stem the bleeding, but after this week’s game against the Bengals, they face the Bears, Bills, Ravens, Dolphins, Lions, Browns, and then close the season with their rematch against Baltimore.
Just 1-3 over their last four and coming off a blowout loss to the shorthanded Chargers, the Steelers need to build some momentum to stave off the Ravens. But that’s easier said than done, and it starts on Sunday against Cincinnati.
Lightning Strike History: Three Players Log Career Firsts vs. Rangers
The early part of the season hasn’t been kind to either the Tampa Bay Lightning or New York Rangers. Both teams stumbled badly out of the gate, sparking questions about their direction and identity. For New York especially, the struggles were historic.
The Rangers became the first team in NHL history to be shut out in their first three home games, then went winless through their opening seven (0-6-1). They’ve since added two more home shutouts and continue to sit near the bottom in nearly every offensive category (aside from winning faceoffs), including shooting percentage, power play success, and total goals.
The Lightning weren’t much better than the Rangers to start the season. After losing six of their first seven, Tampa Bay looked slow and scattered — a complete 180 from the powerhouse that dominated the league for much of the last decade.
But lately, something has shifted. Heading into this matchup, the Bolts had won seven of their last eight games, with the only loss coming against the league leading Colorado Avalanche. Even in a lopsided 7-3 loss to the Rangers on Thursday, there were signs of progress, particularly from some unexpected names.
A Whole Lot of Firsts For Tampa Bay
In what might have been the most exciting period of hockey so far this season, after falling behind 2-0 early in the first, the Lightning got a much-needed spark from a veteran making his season debut. Scott Sabourin, called up from AHL Syracuse just one day earlier, ripped a wrist shot past Igor Shesterkin’s glove from the left circle at 6:04 — his first goal as a member of the Lightning and first in the NHL since February 2020 (video below).
It wasn’t just Sabourin’s night, though. Two of Tampa Bay’s young forwards also logged career milestones, as Curtis Douglas (a 2018 fourth-round pick by Dallas) and Jack Finley (Tampa’s 2020 second-rounder) each earned their first NHL point with assists on the play. Four more goals were scored in the first period which ended 4-3 Rangers.
It wasn’t just Sabourin’s night, though. Two of Tampa Bay’s young forwards also logged career milestones, as Curtis Douglas (a 2018 fourth-round pick by Dallas) and Jack Finley (Tampa’s 2020 second-rounder) each earned their first NHL point with assists on the play. Four more goals were scored in the first period which ended 4-3 Rangers.
For a team that’s battled a wave of injuries — missing Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Anthony Cirelli, Pontus Holmberg, Dominic James and Nick Paul — the effort from its depth players was a welcome sight. Brandon Hagel’s early exit after a hit from Carson Soucy only added to the list, but Tampa’s young call-ups responded with energy and purpose.
Even in Defeat, a Glimmer of Progress For the Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy, usually the calmest presence on the ice, had an uncharacteristic night. After tripping and allowing a soft goal late in the second period, he was swapped out for the backup goalie, Jonas Johansson — a rare sight given his well-known dislike for leaving games early. The reigning standard for goaltending excellence, Vasilevskiy often insists on staying in net to learn more about his opponents, but this just wasn't his night.
Still, even in defeat, Tampa Bay found something to build on. Three new players earned their first points with the team/in the NHL, injecting fresh life into a roster still trying to find consistency. For a team built on veteran leadership and championship experience, the contributions from newcomers served as a quiet reminder — there’s still plenty of depth in the Lightning’s storm.
