The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some injury concerns throughout the 2024 season, but one that was often forgotten was second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. and his hamstring injury. Trice suffered this injury back in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he has missed every game since then. The team has been patiently waiting for him to return, and it looks like that might finally happen in Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6437-544x306.jpg "Steelers Cory Trice Jr.")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. stands on the field during a 2023 training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Trice had already missed his entire rookie season in 2023 due to a torn ACL, so seeing the cornerback go down again at the start of the 2024 season was devastating. Pittsburgh opened his 21-day practice window back on November 14th, and Thursday was the last day that they could activate Trice. Had they not, he would have been forced to miss the rest of the year.
We have activated DB Cory Trice Jr. from the Reserve/Injured list. @BordasLaw https://t.co/fyzDO5hFhF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 5, 2024
Pittsburgh waited until the final day to activate Trice, but he is officially back on the active roster and off of Injured Reserve. Trice was an important depth piece in the defensive backfield while he was playing, as he even recorded his first interception in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos.
Nick Smith / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Cory Trice Jr. picks off Bo Nix in the end zone during the 2024 season.
Trice was often on the field during obvious passing situations during his first two games as a Steeler. He is a serviceable backup on the outside at cornerback, but his value is really shown when he is on the field in the dime package. Trice has a big frame which makes him a good tackler, and once he continues to adjust to the speed of the NFL, he should continue to improve in coverage and as an overall player. The second-year cornerback seemed like he was starting to become an important member of the defense. As long as Trice can remain healthy, he has all the intangibles to be a great player in the NFL.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Cory Trice Jr. makes a tackle for loss against the Houston Texans during the 2024 preseason.
Trice is eligible to take the field again on Sunday as the Steelers will take on the Browns, but there is a chance he is ruled inactive on gameday. It will all depend on how the coaching staff feels about Trice, and how he performed during practice throughout the week. The cornerback has been practicing for several weeks now, so it is unlikely he is held out of this game now that he has been activated.
Are you excited to see Trice back on the field? What do you expect from him? Let us know in the comments below!
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