Steelers OTAs Day 1 notebook: 1st look at new tackle lineup; handful of veterans absent

Broderick Jones was whisked away from the practice field after his participation in the first day of Pittsburgh Steelers organized team activities Tuesday.

Turns out, it was his appointment time for the baseline testing for concussion protocol.

Jones promised he would speak to the media after the next OTAs session. After all, he has a move across to the other side of the Steelers offensive line to talk about.

Troy Fautanu confirmed he worked at right tackle, leaving Jones to take reps on the left side. This was no surprise given the events of the Steelers offseason, but it was notable nonetheless that the Steelers were doing their first formal 11-on-11 work with their pair of recent first-round picks bookending the offensive line.

“From what I have been told, I am playing right tackle (this season),” Fautanu said Tuesday.

The Steelers allowed four-year starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to depart via free agency — he signed for $82 million over four years with the Tennessee Titans — leaving the No. 14 pick in 2023, Jones, as his heir apparent. Last season’s 20th overall pick, Fautanu, last year had quickly ascended to the starting spot on the right side — even surpassing Jones — until a knee injury ended his season after one regular-season appearance.

“I’ve played only one game,” Fautanu said, “so I feel like a rookie, but at the same time I feel like I walk around like I am a second-year player, and that’s the expectation that Coach (Mike) Tomlin has for me, to not go out there and expect first-year (mistakes). I expect that out of myself. Always have, always will.”

Taking attendance

OTAs are not mandatory, and the less-than-perfect attendance reflected that. As is typically the case, a handful of veterans were not there for Day 1. Among those were two of the Steelers’ highest-profile acquisitions of the offseason.

Cornerback Darius Slay’s absence was confirmed by safety DeShon Elliot. Tight end Pat Freiermuth and receiver Calvin Austin III each confirmed that receiver DK Metcalf was not at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Both, though, noted Metcalf has regularly been at the facility throughout the spring.

“It’s easy to see that he’s had the success he’s had in the league,” Austin said, noting Metcalf’s work ethic. “He will be a great addition to have in this offense.”

Elliott said he hadn’t met Slay yet.

“I’ve heard a lot about him from guys around the league,” Elliott said. “He’s a great guy, a great teammate, great leader. He obviously has the accolades, Super Bowl champion. When he gets here, he gets here. I am sure he will be a great addition … and be a natural leader on our defense.”

As judged by videos taken during the portion of the practice-like session open to videos and photos taken by media, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and left guard Isaac Seumalo also did not take part in Tuesday’s OTAs.

No contract talks

While Watt is entering the final season of his contract, there is no indication his absence is related to that. On the short list of other starters who are entering the final season of their contracts is Austin, who at the moment on the depth chart slots at WR2 or WR3.

Austin didn’t make it sound as if any extension talks were imminent.

“I haven’t even thought about that,” he said.

Austin, 26, is technically a four-year veteran despite not playing at all as a rookie because of injury. He had 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns last season.

New WR

Despite Tuesday being the Steelers’ first formal on-field team work since the trade of George Pickens, a familiar No. 14 was out working with the wide receiver group.

That was Montana Lemonious-Craig, who signed earlier in the day. An undrafted rookie from Arizona, the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Lemonious-Craig attended the Steelers rookie minicamp earlier this month as a tryout.

Throughout a college career that began at Colorado, Lemonious-Craig had 79 receptions for 965 yards and nine touchdowns.