The Pittsburgh Steelers have major things to fix on defense entering Week 9. But the Steelers will have to do it without safety DeShon Elliott.
In his weekly Tuesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out Elliott for Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
“Elliott could be declared out this week also with his hyperextended knee,” Tomlin told reporters.
Elliott appeared to hyperextend his leg while trying to tackle Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft in the second half Sunday night. Elliott’s foot was caught under another player, which caused his leg to bend the wrong way.
The veteran safety left the game and didn’t return. NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark reported Elliott appeared very emotional while entering the locker room.
In five games this season, Elliott has posted 38 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss. He also has one interception, two pass defenses, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble.
Steelers’ Deshon Elliott Out in Week 9 vs. Colts
When asked to provide clarification on Elliott’s status, Tomlin answered Tuesday the veteran safety can be considered week-to-week.
One could argue that’s actually good news. Based on the nature of Elliott’s injury and his reaction to it, pundits expected it to be a lot worse.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also reported Monday that Elliott could be out for the remainder of 2025.
“The Steelers are bracing for safety DeShon Elliott to miss the rest of the season, per sources,” Fowler wrote on X. “His ACL is intact, and he’s working through the nature of the leg injury, so Pittsburgh will hold out hope, but a return is not considered likely at this point.”
Tomlin, though, made it clear Tuesday that he didn’t have early expectations that Elliott would be out for a significant time.
“I didn’t have any preconceived notions,” Tomlin told the media. “I just always have learned over the years to wait on clarify from the medical experts. So I don’t know if I had a perception.”
Without preconceive notions that Elliott could be out for the year, it’s disappointing the safety will be sidelined for a period of time. The Steelers will particularly miss Elliott this week against the Colts.
How Steelers Replace Elliott in Week 9
The Steelers have already played two games this season without Elliott. He missed both of those contests because of a different knee injury.
In those two games, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers played a majority of the snaps for the Steelers at safety.
Those three safeties are in line for bigger roles during Week 9. According to the Pro Football Focus player grades, Clark played the best Sunday against the Packers. Thornhill, though, has the most experience in the Steelers defense.
The organization is also looking at the free agent market for additional depth. Tomlin told reporters the Steelers plan to work out safeties Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson on Tuesday.
Whoever is playing safety for the Steelers this weekend will have their hands full.
The Colts are first in points scored and yards in the league. Indianapolis is also ranked in the top 10 in rushing and passing yards.
The Steelers will need their safeties to help slow down All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. Tomlin’s unit must also do a much better job of covering tight ends.
Rookie tight end Tyler Warren leads the Colts with 492 receiving yards.
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