What Does the Max Iheanachor Selection Mean for Broderick Jones?
PITTSBURGH —Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan admitted after the Max Iheanachor selection that Broderick Jones ‘ neck injury is a “little bit of a concern.”
“Sure, that’s a little bit of a concern,” Khan said. “You guys have heard me talk about that, but you guys always hear me talk about versatility, too. And we’ve got guys on the offensive line that can play different positions on the offensive line, and as I mentioned, we have options.”
Khan must decide next whether to pick up Jones’ fifth-year option by May 1. The price tag for his fifth-year option is $19.072 million.
Jones is dealing with a serious neck injury that ended his season early last year. Khan seemingly refuted a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN that Jones had a setback in his recovery.
“He’s still working to get to try to get back to where he needs to be,” Khan said on Monday. “Nothing’s changed there. No new information since we last spoke in March.”
Jones went down with a season-ending neck injury in the Steelers’ Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears . Jones underwent fusion surgery this offseason.
According to the Cleveland Clinic , spinal fusion is a surgery procedure that reinforces your back structure and stability by linking two vertebrae together. The vertebrae support each other, with the goal of reducing pain and easing symptoms related to your spinal cord and nerves. Typical recovery lasts 3–6 months for daily activity, though full bone fusion can take a year.
Recent former Steelers — Trenton Thompson and Ryan Watts — both retired due to neck injuries, which is why many, including Khan, have questioned Jones’ status for the start of the 2026 season.
“Obviously, he had a significant injury and we’re monitoring how he progresses,” Khan said in February. “I know he’s working hard. It’s early in the process. That’s certainly something that we’re monitoring.”
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : What Does the Max Iheanachor Selection Mean for Broderick Jones?
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