As the Pittsburgh Steelers were making their last-minute roster decisions before the 2025 deadline, I was dying to learn the status of Cory Trice Jr. The talented cornerback and 2023 seventh-round pick had sustained a significant injury for the third time in as many years, and Pittsburgh could have washed their hands of him... but they didn't.
Though Trice was not one of the players listed on the Steelers' initial 53-man roster, the team decided to place the cornerback on the reserve/injured list with a designation to return. This wasn't the top outcome for Trice, but it's the next best thing.
Like former wide receiver Brandon Johnson and defensive lineman Dominique Davis just before the deadline, the Steelers could have waived/injured Trice. But the fact that he's still sticking around with the 'IR designated to return' label proves that Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff aren't finished with him yet.
Cory Trice Jr. could get one last shot to prove his value to the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have not offered an update on the status of Cory Trice's injury. The third-year cornerback suffered a hamstring ailment during the team's Friday Night Lights practice, which forced him to miss the remainder of camp and the entire 2025 preseason.
This marks the second time Trice has missed nearly a full summer of work. During his rookie preseason in 2023, the athletic CB suffered a torn ACL that ended his first NFL camp before it could even take off.
Considering Trice's injury history, it's remarkable that the Steelers are giving him another chance... But fans should be thanking the team for keeping him around.
During his college days at Purdue, Trice had three seasons cut short due to injuries. Sadly, he carried the injury-prone label with him into the NFL. Last year, Trice missed 11 games in the middle of the season with a hamstring injury before suiting up late in the year.
However, when he's been on the field, the talented cornerback has been impressive.
Trice looked incredible in his first NFL action in 2024 before suffering the hamstring injury in Week 3. At 6'3'' and 206 pounds with long arms, fluid hips, and explosive athletic traits, Trice can line up anywhere in the secondary. Despite his youth and lack of NFL experience, he has a tremendous feel for the game to go with respectable ball skills.
We don't know if or when Cory Trice Jr. will see the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2025 season, but the fact that they handed him a valuable 'IR designated to return' label likely means that his team isn't finished with him yet. Trice could get one more shot to prove his value to this team, and if he stays healthy, the Steelers will prove why they made the right choice.