The 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers host the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium for their third regular season game of the 2024 season. Both teams have played against each other 35 times, including three playoff games. The Steelers have won 24, while the Chargers have won 11, according to The Football Database. The Steelers are favored by three points, and the over/under is 34.5.
The Steelers’ offensive line has been mediocre through two games. PFF has them ranked as the 20th-best offensive line. Not only is their best offensive lineman sidelined, their rookie hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie suffered an injury in their first preseason game
Rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu suffered a minor MCL sprain in their preseason opener against the Houston Texans. As a result, he missed the rest of the summer, including their final two preseason games. Fautanu returned just in time for Week 1 but ultimately didn’t play.
Fautanu got his first career start at right tackle in Week 2 and played 55 offensive snaps. He had two pressures, one hurry, one hit, zero sacks allowed, and a 64.4 PFF grade. The Steelers expected to start him tomorrow. However, he suffered another injury.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie could be out indefinitely
Troy Fautanu appeared to have tweaked his knee during Friday’s practice after not being on the injury report on Wednesday and Thursday. The extent of his knee injury is still unknown, as he will undergo tests and an MRI. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Fautanu is expected to be out indefinitely and is a possible injured reserve candidate. We will update you once we have more information.
Who will start at RT?
Their former 1st-round pick, Broderick Jones, will start at right tackle. Jones has had a disappointing start to the 2024 season, struggling in Week 1, losing the starting job to Troy Fautanu, and getting benched in Week 2 when the Steelers planned on alternating him with Fautanu. So far, he has two pressures, two sacks, four penalties, and a 43.6 PFF grade.
Mike Tomlin has confidence that Jones can rebound after going through adversity last week.
“I’m going to give Broderick an opportunity to rebound,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. “He’s a talented young player. I am sure he suffered some disappointment in terms of Troy starting. It’s a natural thing. But he has to move past it, and I have to give him an opportunity to move past it as a leader.”
