The Steelers' July 27 camp was marred by injuries to Broderick Jones & DJ Thomas-Jones. Get the latest on their status and see which rookie WR shined.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The buzz of training camp took a nervous turn on Sunday in Latrobe. The sight of a starting offensive lineman leaving the field with trainers is never what you want to see, and that's exactly what happened when left tackle Broderick Jones exited practice early, sending a wave of concern through Steeler Nation.
I'm really interested in watching Kenneth Gainwell versus Payton Wilson.
The main story of the day was undoubtedly the health of Broderick Jones. After the '7 shots' drill, the second-year tackle was seen getting work done on his right hip area by trainers and did not return. Head Coach Mike Tomlin later described it as a 'day-to-day' soft-tissue injury, but any time a projected starter at a crucial position like left tackle misses time, it's a major concern. The injury bug didn't stop there. Tight end/fullback DJ Thomas-Jones, who was having a strong practice with several catches, went down with what Tomlin called a 'significant injury.' Wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig (soft tissue) also left early, and linebacker Jeremiah Moon sat out entirely. It's an unfortunate but familiar part of camp, and the team will be hoping for good news in the coming days.
While injuries cast a shadow, one player was busy making a name for himself. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Rock Taylor out of Memphis had his best day of camp by far. The big-bodied receiver showed off reliable hands, hauling in multiple intermediate passes on dig routes. He snagged two from veteran Mason Rudolph and another from rookie Will Howard, consistently creating separation and looking like a legitimate threat. In a wide receiver room looking for depth, Taylor is quickly becoming the dark horse to watch as we head towards preseason action.
Despite the injuries, Coach Tomlin seemed pleased with the overall state of the team, calling the first few days of camp a 'really good acclimation period.' He praised the team's conditioning and focus on the cultural aspects of being a Steeler. But that phase is now over. The message was clear: the time for fundamentals and getting back into the swing of things is ending. The real test is about to begin as the team prepares to put the pads on for the first time this coming week.
What does that next phase look like? Tomlin gave everyone a specific matchup to circle on their calendar for Tuesday's first padded practice: the 'backs-on-backers' drill. Specifically, he's eager to see new running back Kenneth Gainwell tested in pass protection against rookie linebacker Payton Wilson. Tomlin praised Gainwell's abilities as a route runner and Wilson's development, setting up a classic battle of speed and power. It's the kind of one-on-one competition that reveals character and skill, and it's clear the coaching staff will be watching this one with a magnifying glass.
Sunday in Latrobe was a classic training camp mix of anxiety and optimism. The health of Broderick Jones will be the top story until he's back on the field, and the growing injury list is a definite concern. Yet, the emergence of a player like Rock Taylor and the anticipation for the first day in pads provides a jolt of excitement. All eyes now turn to Tuesday, where the hitting starts and matchups like Gainwell vs. Wilson will give us our first real glimpse of what the 2025 Steelers are made of.
