The Pittsburgh Steelers are well into their second week of training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. You can tell the players are as hyped as the fans because the competition level has cranked up. That includes the offense and defense getting a bit chippy after quarterback Justin Fields was hit late on Wednesday. Everyone is eager to show off their offseason training and improvements.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Justin Fields.
There are several players who are on the cusp of changing their fate with the team, hoping to be able to show Head Coach Mike Tomlin that they have what it takes. One of those players is Cory Trice Jr. Drafted in the seventh round in 2023, Trice was injured, tearing his ACL on the first day of padded practice. That injury kept him out for the entire season.
Now Trice is back, looking healthy and ready to go. Thanks to the eight-game suspension of the newly re-signed Cameron Sutton, Trice is getting a bigger opportunity to show the coaches that he is 100%. According to a tweet by Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, he was doing exactly that at the most recent camp practice.
Cory Trice is seeing some more meaningful first-team like reps in a dime look. He had been buried on the depth chart with the third team for the most part to this point.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 1, 2024
This is good news since the cornerback room is probably the defensive group with the most questions heading into the 2024 season. Other than Joey Porter Jr., who is going into his second season, there are many question marks.
Most players in that room lack the experience to be highly successful in the NFL. Pittsburgh did trade with the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson in exchange for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Jackson does bring much-needed past successes to Pittsburgh, but he is only in the Steel City on a one-year deal.
Trice was recently named one of the Steelers with the highest defensive upside, making the opportunities even more important. While Jackson will likely start across from Porter in 2024, it opens the door wider for Trice. That means that Trice has to take advantage of every rep he gets.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers second-year players Cory Trice Jr. and Joey Porter Jr.
Before Trice's injury, he was winning fans over in camp. He and Porter earned the nickname "Avatar Cornerbacks" for their similar size and look, which made fans hopeful that he would emerge as a draft steal. With Trice getting more reps, he will get a second shot at being the player fans were hoping he would be.
Steelers Could Still Bring Back A Familiar Name
The Steelers brought Sutton back, knowing that his suspension was likely pending. Sutton was accused of aggravated battery and domestic violence. He eventually turned himself in, and the charges were reduced to misdemeanor ones, and the NFL levied its punishment.
While many are not happy about the Steelers bringing Sutton back, there is little doubt that, from a game perspective, he fills a hole. Sutton is obviously familiar with the defense and much of the team, so his learning curve is not as steep. In addition, his legal issues made him a cheap acquisition.
But with Sutton out for eight weeks, the Steelers must figure out how to fill that spot. Trice is trying to be the one to step up, but the Steelers could also bring back a name from the past, such as Patrick Peterson, Akhello Witherspoon or Chandon Sullivan. It would give them a similar benefit as Sutton did, knowing exactly what they are getting in a player.
Emilee Chinn / Associated Press
Steelers Ahkello Witherspoon celebrates an interception.
After 2023, the Steelers let Peterson go. The once-great, future Hall of Famer, was showing his age during the 2023 season. Sullivan and Witherspoon are both younger than Peterson, which might make them more appealing options. Like Sutton, they are all familiar with the defense and would likely be inexpensive to sign.
How much do you think the Steelers will use Trice while Sutton is suspended? Click to comment below.
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