Steelers Now
One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ promising rookies looks to be lost for the season after suffering a serious injury at training camp.
The injury suffered by Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tight end DJ Thomas-Jones at training camp on Sunday is feared to be a season-ending injury.
Thomas-Jones was injured during a team period of Sunday’s practice. He was examined by team trainers on the sideline and taken from the practice field in the front seat of a cart.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said after practice that Thomas-Jones’ injury was significant, but that he was still being evaluated.
Thomas-Jones is feared to have torn his Achilles tendon, an injury that would will cost him the entire 2025 season, a team source confirmed to Steelers Now. Nick Farabaugh of PennLive first reported the news.
An undrafted rookie out of South Alabama, Thomas-Jones was expected to compete with Connor Heyward for a roster spot in training camp. He racked up 73 catches for 653 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2022-24.
Listed as a fullback on the Steelers’ roster, he also played tight end and H-back, and figured to be a contributor in special teams.
If the fears about his injury are confirmed, Thomas-Jones will be the second Steelers tight end to suffer an Achilles injury this season. Donald Parham suffered a season-ending Achilles tear early in OTA’s.
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.
However, 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.
The Steelers have an off day from training camp on Monday, and they may take that opportunity to work out some free agents at the suddenly thin position.
Veteran Noah Fant, who was recently released by the Seattle Seahawks, headlines the group of available tight ends on the open market.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Season-Ending Injury Feared for Steelers Tight End
