LATROBE, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Senquez Golson, drafted in the second round to provide much-needed cornerback depth, could be out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Steelers drafted Senquez Golson, now potentially out for the season, in the second round to bolster much-needed cornerback depth. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the surgery at his Friday news conference but wanted to discuss the situation with doctors before forecasting missed time.

The Steelers and Golson knew from the start of training camp that surgery was an option, but the team waited to give Golson time to join the defensive backs in meetings and on the practice field for learning purposes.

On Aug. 1, the Steelers traded a conditional 2016 fifth-round pick for Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin, who has practiced well the past few weeks at Saint Vincent College. But Tomlin said the Steelers "had been communicating with those guys [Eagles] for quite some time" about the trade, hinting that the move wasn't a direct response to Golson's shoulder issues.

Golson said early in camp the problem persisted over the summer.

"Definitely don't want to be standing on the sidelines," he said.