On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers released cornerback Cory Trice Jr., the team’s 2023 seventh-round draft pick, after a failed physical. At the time of the selection, many viewed Trice as a potential steal, believing the talented cornerback had Day 2 value closer to the early rounds but slipped because of injury concerns.
The pick became even more intriguing after the Steelers had already selected Joey Porter Jr. in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh essentially double-dipped at cornerback, adding two lengthy defensive backs standing over 6-foot-2. The duo quickly earned the nickname “Avatars,” a label given by former head coach Mike Tomlin because of their rare size at the position.
Unfortunately for Trice, the same injury concerns that caused his draft-day slide followed him into the NFL.
Throughout his time in Pittsburgh, he struggled to stay healthy and was never able to consistently get on the field. After failing a physical, the Steelers ultimately made the decision to move on from the injury-plagued cornerback.
Failed physical ends Cory Trice Jr.’s injury-plagued tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Former seventh-round pick Cory Trice Jr. only appeared in six games during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and made just one start, as injuries constantly kept him off the field.
The injuries started almost immediately after he entered the NFL.
During training camp in his rookie season, Trice tore his ACL and missed the entire year. It was another brutal setback after already dealing with a torn ACL during his time at Purdue University in 2021, where he was limited to only two games after tearing the ACL in his left knee.
The following season, Trice finally got on the field for a few games and even started in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, recording the first interception of his NFL career. But once again, injuries got in the way, as he landed on injured reserve in Week 4 with a hamstring injury.
Last season, the bad luck continued. While working his way back from the hamstring injury during his 21-day practice window, Trice suffered a season-ending knee injury before he could fully return.
It’s an unfortunate way for his career to start because there was real potential there when the Steelers drafted him. But with his long injury history, failed physical, and Pittsburgh now having solid depth at cornerback, it ultimately made sense for both sides to move on.
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