Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey was victimized by brutal irony in the team's Week 4 win in Dublin, Ireland. Early in the game against the Minnesota Vikings, Ramsey faked a hamstring injury, only to actually suffer the same injury he had fabricated late in the contest.
Though Ramsey appeared back on the field to test the hamstring in the fourth quarter, he was clearly hampered by the injury and quickly left the contest for good. On Monday, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Ramsey could 'miss at least several games' with the injury.
This isn't the news Steelers fans wanted to hear. Though we are still waiting for confirmation on the severity of Ramsey's injury, these soft tissue injuries take time (as we are learning with Joey Porter Jr.).
Thankfully, the Steelers have an early Week 5 bye (which couldn't come at a better time), and Porter seems close to making his return to the field. But Ramsey's absence still leaves Pittsburgh shorthanded at the position, and cornerback Brandin Echols was also banged up in the Week 4 win, though he insists he's okay.
The good news is that a talented, forgotten cornerback could be making his return after the bye.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could call upon Cory Trice Jr. for added CB depth
The Steelers have two cornerbacks who are eligible to return from IR after the Steelers' Week 5 bye: Cory Trice Jr. and Dont Kent. While Kent, a seventh-round rookie, isn't likely to offer a spark right away, Trice could.
Trice injured his hamstring during the Steelers' Friday Night Lights practice at training camp in August. Unfortunately, the injury-plagued cornerback wasn't healthy enough to suit up for preseason action that followed, and he ultimately found himself on IR/designated to return upon final roster cuts.
Trice doesn't have a ton of experience, but when healthy, he flashed phenomenal upside.
At 6'3'' and 206 pounds with long arms, fluid hips, and a great feel for the game, Trice had some huge moments with the Steelers last season before suffering a hamstring injury three weeks into his 2024 campaign. Trice has an extensive injury history, which caused him to slip into the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but the talent is all there.
With Pittsburgh's cornerback room bitten by the injury bug, Trice could get a chance to see the field. However, this is assuming he's healthy enough to return from IR immediately following the bye week. Over his first three years with the Steelers, Trice has proven that he has difficulty staying on the field, but he can offer a spark in a pinch.
Obviously, the hope is that Jalen Ramsey will be able to return to the field after the Steelers' Week 5 bye, but we know how these soft tissue injuries can linger. Cory Trice might prove to be the best option to help replace Ramsey if he's ready to go when Pittsburgh hosts the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.