Steelers rookie Broderick Jones makes most of switch to RT

Rookie tackle Broderick Jones wasn’t about to argue Friday when informed of Dan Moore’s flattering comments a day earlier.

Moore told reporters that Jones was a more natural fit to play right tackle, a position that neither Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman specialized playing while in college.

“Probably,” Jones said, smiling. “I may be just a little more athletic than Dan. We’re not going to go there.”

Jones has taken snaps at right tackle this week in place of Chuks Okorafor, who developed concussion symptoms Sunday in the Steelers’ 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Rather than have Moore, who took occasional snaps at right tackle in offseason workouts and training camp, make the position switch in practice, the Steelers had Jones make the move.

“It is a difference,” Jones said, “but not that huge of a difference that it will hinder me from playing to the best of my ability.”

Jones logged his first four career NFL snaps at left tackle — his natural position — in the opener after Okorafor exited in the fourth quarter. He’s preparing to play Monday night against the Cleveland Browns in case the veteran right tackle isn’t cleared for action.

Jones wasn’t surprised when he was asked to practice at right tackle.

“I was ready,” he said. “I’m just glad it was earlier in the week, so I could practice it and not (have it happen) in a game. I’m glad I can go against people like T.J. (Watt) and Nick (Herbig) in practice because that helps a lot in the game.”

Aside from taking some snaps at right tackle while working out at the NFL Combine, Jones hasn’t played on that side of the offensive line since his redshirt sophomore year at Georgia. His first collegiate experience in 2020 also was at right tackle.

“I feel like it helped me a little bit,” he said. “Now that I have to do it again, it’s not that big of a deal to me. I’ll try to lock in and perfect my craft on the right side and the left.”

Flawed logic

After opening the season with three sacks, T.J. Watt likely will go up against Browns rookie right tackle Dawand Jones on Monday night.

Jones is expected to step in for Jack Conklin, who is out for the season after he tore ligaments in his knee against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland’s opener.

Jones claims to have spotted a flaw in Watt’s game, which if true hasn’t prevented him from becoming the Steelers’ all-time sacks leader in less than seven seasons.

“He kind of leaves his chest open a little bit during the pass game,” Jones told Browns reporters. “Using that, there are other things to it. Making sure I get back. He’s a great player.”

Watt didn’t fire back, only allowing that Jones is a “good player. Not really much to say. Good player.”

Watt said it won’t benefit much for him to watch tape of Jones when the 6-foot-8 lineman played at Ohio State.

“When those new guys get under a new coach — you see it with Broderick here — he’s not really the same player he was in college,” Watt said. “There’s a whole year of progression. You’re getting coached by so many different people throughout the combine process, and then where you get drafted to, that coach is going to try to shape you how he wants.”

Injury report

Running back Anthony McFarland missed practice for a second day in a row because of a knee injury, which increases the chances the Steelers will have a new kickoff returner against the Browns. McFarland averaged 30.3 yards on three kick returns in the opener, and he caught two passes for 11 yards.

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (foot) did not practice after being limited Thursday. Left guard Isaac Seumalo was given a veteran day off. Three other players remained limited: Okorafor (concussion), tight end Pat Freiermuth (chest) and right guard James Daniels (ankle).

Coming aboard

The Steelers signed cornerback Kalon Barnes to the practice squad. Barnes ran the fastest time of any defensive player ever timed in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine when he was clocked at 4.23 seconds in 2022.

Barnes, who played at Baylor, was a seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers but did not earn a spot on their roster. He spent time with Minnesota and Miami prior to joining the Steelers.