Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tight end DJ Thomas-Jones is back to work on Sunday after a scary injury last week.
The Steelers feared Thomas-Jones suffered a torn Achilles, but further testing revealed he did not have a torn Achilles.
He was injured during a team period of last Sunday’s practice and examined by team trainers on the sideline before being taken from the practice field in the front seat of a cart.
Head coach Mike Tomlin also said after practice that Thomas-Jones’ injury was significant. With only missing a week, that certainly is good news for the promising rookie.
#Steelers rookie TE DJ Thomas-Jones is back to work after a scary injury last week. pic.twitter.com/I8Fw8tEpn8
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 3, 2025
An undrafted rookie out of South Alabama, Thomas-Jones racked up 73 catches for 653 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2022-24 and brings versatility having also played H-back and on special teams. His best season came in 2023, when he had a career-high 27 catches for 235 yards and five touchdowns.
Before transferring to South Alabama in 2022, Thomas-Jones spent one year at Ole Miss. There he saw action in six games and recorded just one catch for six yards. He also played some special teams.
The top of the Steelers’ depth chart at tight end has plenty of bodies, with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington all angling for playing time. But their depth options are now limited after the pair of injuries. Beyond Heyward, the last tight end on the roster is undrafted rookie JJ Galbreath out of South Dakota.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from St. Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Promising Steelers TE Avoids Serious Injury
