The Pittsburgh Steelers have been hit with the injury bug a little bit to start the 2025 NFL season. While a Week 1 win against the New York Jets was exhilarating, some important role players ended up suffering some unfortunate injuries, but none was more significant than DeShon Elliott's. The good news for the team is that the veteran safety isn't expected to land on Injured Reserve (IR), and he could be back by the time the team faces off versus the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland in Week 4. There are others, however, that weren't as lucky when it comes to long-term health.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) stands on the field as the Pittsburgh goes through a workout during the annual Friday Night Lights practice at 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers announced on Wednesday that multiple players will be headed to IR, which will immediately open up some opportunities to make roster moves in the coming days.
We have signed S Jabrill Peppers to a one-year contract, signed CB James Pierre from the Practice Squad to the Active Roster, signed QB Logan Woodside to the Practice Squad & placed LB Malik Harrison + QB Skylar Thompson on the Reserve/Injured List. @BordasLaw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 10, 2025
The signing of Jabrill Peppers has already started to drum up some positive conversation, but losing a linebacker in Malik Harrison and third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson for a minimum of four weeks isn't ideal. That is now the second signal-caller to land on IR in 2025, with rookie Will Howard being the other. It's clear the Steelers will end up giving the third spot to Logan Woodside for now, but the fourth linebacker spot becomes a mystery.
Carson Bruener is a member of the 53-man roster, but might not be the right fit to fill in on defense if called upon. Pittsburgh needs someone who is a core special teamer, but also has familiarity with the defensive system. Luckily, a familiar face is on the practice squad of the New England Patriots and could be signed to the active roster at any moment.
On Aug. 28, the Patriots signed Cory Durden, Mark Robinson and Corey Ballentine to the practice squad. The defensive tackle, linebacker and corner now all set to have a hand on Sept. 7. pic.twitter.com/K0Ni1YnFRI
— Oliver Thomas (@OliverBThomas) September 6, 2025
Mark Robinson was a seventh-round pick of the Steeler back in 2022, and was looked at as a great special teams player. He also saw several snaps at linebacker during his tenure. Fans in the Steel City know that the organization loves some sense of comfort and familiarity when individuals are signed, and Robinson checks all the boxes, with the potential to fill in for Harrison during his IR stint.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (#93) stands on the field while the team practices during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Despite Bruener's presence, the Steelers will probably be looking to add another linebacker to the defensive depth chart, and Robinson makes the most sense. He spent three years with the team and was called upon quite a bit, particularly when the organization was hit with several injuries at the position during the 2023 campaign.
Robinson knows the system, spent plenty of time in Pittsburgh, and is readily available. Sooner rather than later, it could become a reality that the Steelers are signing the fourth-year player off of the Patriots' practice squad. It almost makes too much sense for this to occur before Week 2 kicks off.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Steelers inside linebacker Mark Robinson (#93) goes through a drill during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Hoping To Avoid IR Stints Moving Forward
It's isn't ideal to place two more individuals on IR just after Week 1 of any regular season. Pittsburgh is currently in that position and will hope to avoid it moving forward. Injuries are part of the game, and so the one piece of positive news is that Elliott was not announced as someone who will be out a minimum of four games. Regardless, staying healthy is critical, and the Steelers aren't off to the best start in 2025.
Do you think the Steelers will sign Robinson off of New England's practice squad? Let us know in the comments below!
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