Steelers call in the reinforcements in secondary before Thursday Night Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have any time to soak in the ambiance of a sweet Week 11 home win over the Ravens before hitting the practice field in preparation for Thursday Night Football. In a short week, Mike Tomlin's team -- with all their bumps and bruises -- will immediately turn around and travel to Cleveland in Week 12.

Though the Browns enter Week 12 as a 2-8 football team, the Steelers haven't won in Cleveland since 2017, when Ben Roethlisberger was quarterback. They are looking for more success this time around.

Having every able-bodied man in the secondary will be important. In the first half of the season, Pittsburgh was without Cameron Sutton as he served an eight-game suspension. During this time, boundary cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Joey Porter Jr. have exited the game for brief stints after getting banged up, while Cory Trice Jr. landed on IR after Week 3 with a hamstring injury.

Now this unit is getting healthier than ever, and the reinforcements are coming.

On November 19, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the Steelers have signed veteran safety Eric Rowe to their practice squad. Rowe confirmed the news a few minutes later on 'X'.

While this is merely a practice squad signing, Rowe, a ten-year NFL veteran, offers depth and security at the safety position in the event of an injury.

Steelers beef up secondary depth ahead of Week 12

Rowe was a second-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2015 NFL Draft with 59 starts under his belt. He spent time with the Steelers late in the 2023 season -- starting three games while recording 29 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, and an interception.

Rowe isn't the only returning depth in the secondary. The Steelers opened Cory Trice's 21-day practice window last week, and the talented defensive back is expected to suit up on Thursday Night Football against the Browns.

Trice went down with a hamstring injury against the Chargers early in the season. Before that, he was playing phenomenal football in a part-time role as a dime defender for the Steelers. His biggest play of the season was a critical interception in the endzone against the Denver Broncos that ultimately helped seal a win for Pittsburgh.

After the secondary had a sluggish game against the Commanders in Week 10, they bounced back with a phenomenal performance against quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Now this group is healthy, deep, and ready to rock. The latest reinforcements give the Steelers all the depth and security in the secondary they could ask for.