A day after reinjuring his knee in practice, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu was placed on injured reserve, meaning the offensive tackle will miss at least four games.
Broderick Jones will reclaim his starting job at right tackle and start in place of Fautanu beginning Sunday against Los Angeles Chargers in a matchup of 2-0 teams.
Fautanu supplanted Jones last weekend in Denver when he made his first NFL start. The Steelers had a rotation planned that involved both tackles, but Jones was yanked after his first series when he committed three penalties in a six-play span.
Fautanu originally injured his knee during the preseason opener against Houston. He did not play again the rest of the preseason and was one of just two players who didn’t see any snaps in the season opener at Atlanta.
But coach Mike Tomlin was impressed enough by Fautanu’s swift development that he nudged him ahead of Jones on the depth chart this week.
The Steelers already ruled out left guard Isaac Seumalo and tight end MyCole Pruitt from dressing against the Chargers.
Offensive lineman John Leglue and defensive back James Pierre were elevated from the practice squad.
