Steelers Now Facing Troubling Reality After Unfortunate Week 1 Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers are already staring down a serious injury concern, and it’s only Week 1. Fans everywhere held their breath when starting safety DeShon Elliott went down in the first half of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Elliott immediately grabbed at his left knee, and even though he managed to walk off the field under his own power, he was ruled out for the rest of the game. If Elliott’s injury in severe, it's a tough blow for the Steelers, and it leaves their safety position in a very vulnerable spot.

While going in to help finish off a tackle, Elliott’s leg got twisted in an awkward way, bending backward just enough to cause trouble. It wasn’t a gruesome scene, but it was the kind of motion that immediately makes you think of a serious injury. 

With Elliott out for the forseeable future, the question now becomes who will fill in at the strong safety position. Pittsburgh signed former Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill back in March. When Thornhill was signed, it was assumed he would serve as a backup to both Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

The Steelers then traded Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in June, moving Thornhill into a starting role. Thornhill had a impressive preseason, helping secure his starting spot. With Elliott now out, the Steelers will have to turn to someone else to work alongside with Thornhill.

Chuck Clark came in for relief of Elliott in Sunday's game. Clark spent the first six years or his career with the division rival Baltimore Ravens before spending 2024 with the Jets. He doesn’t have the same level of athleticism he had a few years ago, but he’s experienced, and that counts for something. You could do a lot worse than having a guy like Clark come in and steady the ship. The real concern, though, is what lies behind him.

There just isn’t much depth left at safety for the Steelers. After Thornhill and Clark, the only other player on the active roster at the safety position is Miles Killebrew. Killebrew is known more for his work on special teams than on defense, which means if Elliott ends up missing significant time, Pittsburgh is going to have to make a move. 

That could mean elevating someone from the practice squad, or it could mean looking around the league at who’s available. Either way, it feels like the Steelers can’t roll into another game with just three safeties.

Justin Simmons is 31 years old, but he has been in the conversation of one of the best safeties in the league in recent years. Simmons spent 2016-2023 with the Denver Broncos. He then spent 2024 with the Atlanta Falcons. Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowler (2020, 2023) and he has been named to the AP All-Pro 2nd Team four times (2019, 2021-2023). 

The Steelers already brought in free agent Marcus Williams for a visit in 2025, but no deal was agreed upon. Williams is an eight-year veteran who has spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Ravens. He has started over 100 games in his career and has compiled 20 interceptions in that time.

Steelers' Only Option On Practice Squad Is An Undrafted Rookie

Sebastian Castro is the only safety currently on the Steelers' practice squad. The former Iowa Hawkeye was one of the best defenders in the Big 10 Conference last season, and was one of the leaders of a very good Iowa defense. Castro was thought to be a candidate to make the 53-man roster early in training camp, but he was ultimately cut and then re-signed to the practice squad. 

At the end of the day, the Steelers are in a tough spot. Losing Elliott for even a couple of weeks is a blow, and losing him long-term would be a nightmare for a defense that didn't look great in Week 1. Whether they stick with Clark and Killebrew or bring in outside help, one thing is clear: the safety position just became one of the biggest storylines to watch in Pittsburgh.

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