The Pittsburgh Steelers had given 2024 first-round pick and offensive tackle Troy Fautanu some looks with the first-team offense in spurts throughout training camp, but things were a bit different on Tuesday.
During the team's 11th practice of training camp, Fautanu ran with the ones at right tackle for the entire practice, according to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It was the first time Fautanu has spent an entire day with the ones.
With Fautanu on the right side, veteran Dan Moore remained at left tackle, and 2023 first-round pick, Broderick Jones, played on the left side with the second team. That was another camp first, as Jones had yet to play extended snaps at the position, although he has seen reps there before.
“It’s just an opportunity,” Fautanu said. “Nothing is set in stone. It’s a chance to play big-boy football.”
“For me, it’s making sure negative plays don’t affect the next play,” Fautanu said of what his focus is. “Coming in, my first couple of weeks here I wanted to be perfect. But we’re in the NFL now. Everyone is good. It’s making sure I’m taking strides every day.”
While this certainly doesn't guarantee that Fautanu will be a starter by Week 1, it is a step in that direction. The hope is that Fautanu and Jones will eventually start opposite one another upfront at the two tackle spots.
That would leave Moore as the odd-man out in the equation, which wouldn't be a bad thing considering how much he has struggled the past two seasons. In 2023, Moore gave up eight sacks and 55 pressures in 535 pass-block snaps.
