The Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest weakness on defense was exposed in back-to-back weeks: they have no safety who can prevent big plays in the secondary with any sort of consistency. Thankfully, that could soon change.
On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers' official X account posted that veteran safety DeShon Elliott has returned to practice; however, he remains on the Reserve/Injured list. Elliott was placed on the IR/Designated to Return List before the start of the season. And by rule, we knew he had to miss at least the first four games of the year.
However, we didn't have much of an update beyond that prior to this. Thankfully, it looks like Elliott could be ready to take the field soon... and the Steelers could desperately use his help.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could welcome back DeShon Elliott to the field soon
In Elliott's absence, the Steelers have been forced to make do with newcomer Jaquan Brisker and journeyman Rayshawn Jenkins. While Brisker flashed in his first game in Pittsburgh with a big Week 1 interception against the Atlanta Falcons, it's been all downhill from there.
Since then, the fifth-year safety has allowed nine catches on nine targets for 85 yards. Somehow, Jenkins managed to be much worse.
Jenkins, 32, missed three tackles over the past two games while being credited with allowing four catches on as many targets for 97 yards during that span. On the season, the long-time veteran has allowed a 100 percent completion rate for 120 yards (24.0 yards per reception) while giving up a perfect 158.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
Things got so bad in the Steelers' Week 4 Thursday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns that defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was forced to bench Jenkins in the second half for rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings.
Even on the Steelers' unofficial weekly depth chart, team spokesperson Burt Lauten has been listing just one starting safety (Brisker), though the Steelers routinely have two on the field. Perhaps this is because they don't have two quality safeties worth mentioning at the moment.
Elliott's presence will help... but we can't expect there to be smooth sailing right away when he returns.
Elliott has not seen the field for regular-season action since Week 8 of the 2025 season. Not only did the veteran miss the second half of last year with a knee injury, but he's also missed almost all of the offseason as he recovered, as well as the first quarter of the 2026 season. This extended absence for the 29-year-old veteran could lead to a rocky start when he finally sees the field.
By the sound of it, that day is coming soon. Because the Steelers opened up Elliott's practice window, Pittsburgh started a 21-day countdown to get their top safety back on the active roster. If he can't return by then, he will automatically revert to season-ending IR.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are desperate for safety help, and it looks like help could soon be on the way, maybe as early as next week (if all goes as planned).
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