HOUSTON — Kenny Pickett’s knee injury wasn’t the only one suffered by the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. That came after left tackle Dan Moore exited in the first quarter with a knee injury. Defensive end DeMarvin Leal was being evaluated for a concussion after leaving in the fourth quarter.
Moore’s early exit provided a chance for first-round draft pick Broderick Jones to get his most extensive playing time of the season.
“It was good to play,” Jones said. “There are a lot of things to get better on. I can’t wait to get in the lab — the film room — and correct those mistakes.”
Jones was assigned to block defensive end Jonathan Greenard on the play in which Pickett suffered his knee injury. Jones initially held off Greenard, who then broke free and brought down Pickett for an 8-yard loss.
“A busted play,” Jones said. “I’m mad because I have so much love for Kenny. When you see someone go down, words can’t even explain it.”
Jones could be in line to make his first NFL start next weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers have resisted the temptation to start Jones, whom they traded up three spots to select with the No. 14 overall pick.
“He didn’t blink once,” center Mason Cole said. “He was ready for the situation, handled it well. That is why you draft a tackle in the first round. You expect him to be ready.”
When Freiermuth left with his hamstring injury, rookie Darnell Washington took his spot. He caught his first career pass, a 10-yarder from Pickett.
