Mike Tomlin’s Steelers started rookie Troy Fautanu over Broderick Jones at right tackle on Sunday but rotated Jones in. At least the Steelers planned to throughout the game, but Jones only lasted most of one drive. After three penalties, Tomlin had to yank him from the game, letting the rookie finish the game.
Tomlin explained his rationale for a rotation along the offensive line, particularly in the case of Fautanu, their first-round pick. While he dressed last week, he had not played a snap and missed most of the preseason due to a knee injury.
“I rolled him because I had concerns about his level of conditioning”, Tomlin said of Fautanu via the team’s website, “rolled” meaning “rotated”.