Mike Tomlin: Rookie Broderick Jones expected to make another start at right tackle for Steelers

First-round draft pick Broderick Jones did enough in his starting debut at right tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers that he has earned another.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference that Jones is expected to start ahead of veteran Chuks Okorafor at right tackle Sunday when the Steelers face the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.

In the depth chart that Tomlin released Tuesday, Jones was listed as a co-starter at right tackle with Okorafor.

“I thought he did some really good things, and we did some really good things,” Tomlin said, referring to the Steelers’ 20-16 victory against Tennessee last Thursday. “It is probably worthy of an extended look considering he did those things, and we did those things on a short week. I’m not going all the way in, but we’ll probably take another look at him and see what it looks like this week.”

Although Tomlin said after the game that Jones replaced Okorafor because he was looking for a “spark,” he admitted Tuesday that it also had to do with disciplinary measures. Okorafor admitted to acting out during the Steelers’ loss to Jacksonville and said he was benched because of it.

Tomlin said Okorafor’s actions were a “significant factor” in his decision to make the switch at right tackle.

Jones played left tackle almost exclusively in college at Georgia, and he started there in Week 5 against Baltimore when Moore was injured.

Tomlin said Moore is more comfortable at playing left tackle than on the right side, which led to Jones making the move instead.

“He’s the young guy and oftentimes the young guy is the one who has to display versatility,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers totaled a season-high 166 yards rushing, and quarterback Kenny Pickett wasn’t sacked and was hit just twice while playing behind the new-look offensive line.

“Hopefully, it’s just the product of routine work,” Tomlin said. “There is no secret formula. We work continually. Hopefully, that performance is a snapshot of the progress made and will continue.”

Tomlin said that offensive coordinator Matt Canada will call plays from the sideline against the Packers.

After spending his first two and a half seasons working out of the coaching box on the press level, Canada made his debut on the sidelines against Tennessee.

“We’re willing to do whatever is required to continue to progress in all three phases,” Tomlin said. “We make changes week in and week out. Because of his location, that was a more obvious change. I thought there were good reviews. I thought it aided in communication. Coach-to-play is one thing, but give-and-take and the face-to-face component, I thought could add a little value to our cause.”

On defense, rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr is now listed as the starter at left cornerback ahead of veteran Levi Wallace. Porter has started the past two games, and the designation on the depth chart makes it official.

In injury news, nose tackle Montravius Adams has an ankle injury that will be monitored as the Steelers prepare to face the Packers. Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick missed the game against Tennessee with a hamstring injury.

Tomlin said Fitzpatrick is “improving.”

“We’ll see what the week holds for him and see if there is potential for availability at the latter part of the week,” he said.