Steelers' Broderick Jones Says He's 'More Athletic' Than Dan Moore Jr, Validating His Comments Ahead Of Big Week 2 Matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers are about to enter their Week 2 matchup against a division rival in the Cleveland Browns, and they are doing so with some new faces in their starting lineup. Unfortunately, these new faces are due to injuries to the team's Week 1 starters against the San Francisco 49ers. 

One player who the Steelers may be without in Week 2 is their starting right tackle, Chukwuma Okorafor, who suffered a concussion against the aforementioned 49ers. 

Okorafor registered a full practice on Saturday, which would suggest that he is good to go. However, there has yet to be anything official reported that he cleared the concussion protocol, so it is still something to watch leading up to the game. 

If Okorafor was to miss the game, the Steelers are in one of the best situations to account for it by having their 2023 first round pick, Broderick Jones, available to step in for him. Jones has been spending most of the week taking practice reps on the right side, and he is ready to step up if his number is called. 

Jones spoke on him practicing on the right side during the week, and below is what he had to say about playing there in Week 2 if needed as reported by Joe Rutter of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 

"It's a difference," Jones said about practicing on the right side. "But not that huge of a difference that it will hinder me from playing to the best of my ability.”

The best of Jones's ability is what everyone in Steeler Nation is hoping for, because if Jones is asked to start, he will have a very tough task containing Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith. 

Luckily for Jones, he gets the same level of competition, if not even better, to go against every day in practice. Jones' comments on him being fortunate enough to be tested daily and get that experience are below. 

“I was ready,” Jones 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.”

If nothing else, it is safe to say Jones will be battle tested before heading into his potentially first NFL start. Going against TJ Watt frequently as well as the other pass rushers the Steelers have on their roster will make any rookie offensive tackle have to learn to step up their game quickly. 

Steelers Broderick Jones Is 'More Natural' On The Right Side According To Dan Moore Jr.

Earlier in the week, Dan Moore Jr. talked about how Jones is a 'lot more natural' on the right side of the offensive line than he would be. Moore hasn't played on the right side since early in his college career on a limited basis, while Jones started on the right side during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. 

When asked about what Moore had to say, Jones made a joke about how its because he is a better athlete. Here are his comments on whether or not he was the more natural fit on the right side. 

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

While Jones is the more athletic of the two, there is a reason why the Steelers selected Jones in the first round, Jones' comments are a playful jab at Moore who he has worked very closely with this offseason. 

Whoever is starting in Week 2, one thing is for sure that they will have to bring their A game to slow down the Browns pass rush. With a full practice on Saturday by Okorafor, we may have to continue to wait to see the much anticipated first NFL start for Jones. 

Do you think Jones should be cracking the starting lineup? Let us know in the comments below!

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