The Pittsburgh Steelers placed a first-round restricted tender on offensive tackle Willie Colon on Tuesday, according to a league source.
Colon, who missed the entire 2010 season because of a torn Achilles' tendon he sustained during training camp, could be an unrestricted free agent pending new labor rules once the NFL and the players union agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Colon, a five-year pro, started every game from 2007 to 2009 for the Steelers.