The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Indianapolis Colts with a shockingly thin secondary, as Jamel Dean (ankle) or DeShon Elliott (knee) are out, and Jalen Ramsey (wrist) is questionable. That’s Friday’s verdict for a secondary that traded Joey Porter Jr. and signed two corners this week. Thursday’s injury update offered some hope when Ramsey returned to limited work. Dean’s third straight missed practice ended any suspense about his availability.
The official Friday injury report also rules out Michael Pittman Jr. and lists Rico Dowdle as questionable with a toe injury. Ramsey was limited again, and Elliott has only just resumed practicing after starting the season on injured reserve. Cameron Heyward practiced fully after taking a veterans' rest day on Wednesday. Friday settles who’s out -- Ramsey and Dowdle are the two calls left for Sunday.
Player | Position | Injury | Wed. | Thur. | Fri. | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jalen Ramsey | CB | Wrist | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Rico Dowdle | RB | Toe | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Michael Pittman Jr. | CB | Foot | LP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Jamel Dean | CB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Cameron Heyward | DT | NIR/Rest | DNP | FP | FP | - |
DeShon Elliott | S | Knee | - | LP | LP | Out |
Ramsey can play outside corner. The question is what Pittsburgh gives up by moving him there. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said he likes Ramsey’s work around safety and the slot. With Elliott out, pulling Ramsey away from those jobs could create a whole other problem. I’d make the outside corners prove they need that help before reshuffling the whole secondary.
Pittsburgh Steelers face a steep learning curve with new cornerbacks against Indianapolis Colts
Asante Samuel Jr. and rookie Daylen Everette have actually played outside in Graham’s defense. Pittsburgh also signed Sean Murphy-Bunting and Terell Smith, but they’ve had only a few days with the playbook. NFL experience helps, but so does knowing exactly what your teammate expects when Indianapolis changes its formation. The Colts have every reason to test whichever new corner gets on the field.
Elliott’s limited practices won’t put him in uniform Sunday. He remains on injured reserve and needs a separate activation before he can play. Rookie Robert Spears-Jennings could have more to do at safety, including tackling when Jonathan Taylor gets past the first line of defense. Derrick Harmon’s absence up front makes those tackles harder to avoid.
Pittman’s reunion with his former team is off, leaving DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard, which should give Aaron Rodgers enough options against Indianapolis. Wilson has shown he can get downfield. Bernard now has a chance to earn a larger role. Rodgers still needs someone to win the shorter catches that Pittman’s size and experience were supposed to provide.
Dowdle practiced on a limited basis all three days after missing two games. If he dresses, I wouldn’t assume he immediately splits the work evenly with Jaylen Warren, who has given the Steelers good reason to keep feeding him. Sunday’s inactive list will settle whether Dowdle and Ramsey are available before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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