Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones placed on injured reserve with neck injury

Until this weekend, Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones had never missed an NFL game because of injury.

On Saturday, it was revealed that he won’t play at least for the next month.

The Steelers placed Jones on injured reserve with a neck injury, meaning he must sit out the next four games, starting with the matchup Sunday against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Jones already had been ruled out for the game against Buffalo, but now he is certain to miss matchups at Baltimore, at home against Miami and at Detroit. He would be eligible to return for the final two games of the season.

Jones exited in the second half of the Steelers’ 31-28 loss in Chicago last Sunday with what the team called a stinger. He was replaced by Calvin Anderson, but coach Mike Tomlin announced Friday that another veteran, former first-round draft pick Andrus Peat, will start at left tackle against the Bills.

Jones had appeared in 45 consecutive games since the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He switched to left tackle this year after spending his first two seasons at right tackle. He has made 38 career starts.

The injury comes at a critical time for Jones if it is long lasting. The Steelers must decide in the offseason whether to exercise his fifth-year option or allow him to become a free agent in 2027.

In another roster move Saturday, the Steelers elevated cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad. Samuel joined the Steelers’ practice squad Nov. 12. He had spinal fusion surgery in April and wasn’t cleared to play until November. A fifth-year veteran, Samuel had started 47 games for the Los Angeles Chargers before suffering a stinger last season that required surgery.