The Pittsburgh Steelers' recent trade for cornerback Brandon Boykin makes a lot more sense with the revelation that the team is considering season-ending surgery for rookie cornerback Senquez Golson.

The second-round pick has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp with a shoulder injury he says was suffered at OTAs.

The Steelers are mulling their options and haven't ruled out surgery, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Such a procedure would force Golson to the IR.

Golson, whose 10 interceptions as a senior ranked second in the nation, was expected to compete for a starting cornerback job with Steelers veterans Cortez Allen and William Gay.