Big Injury Opens Opportunity For Steelers Fan-Favorite To Make Long Awaited Return In Week 6

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already been put through the ringer when it comes to injuries during the 2025 season. Most of the damage has been done on the defensive side of the ball, and it has mainly been seen in the secondary. The group lost two starters in Week 1 as both Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott went down. Elliott returned in Week 4 and Porter is expected to get back on the field in Week 6. However, the secondary took another hit in the Week 4 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, as Jalen Ramsey went down with a hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh acquired Ramsey in a trade with the Miami Dolphins during the 2025 offseason, and he has been a great player for the Steelers so far. He has made countless splash plays as he has already recorded an interception and credited with a blocked a field goal in Week 2, and he has been a reliable leader on defense. It is hard to gauge just how long he will be out with his hamstring injury, but the team is expected to exercise caution when it comes to getting him back out on the field.

The all but certain absence of Ramsey for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns could mean that fans may get their first look at second-year defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr. during the 2025 season. To many fans' surprise, he did not make the initial roster in Pittsburgh this season, but he could be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday's matchup.

Bishop was a surprise for the Steelers in 2024 as he was an undrafted free agent, but he played an important role on defense. He was the team's starting slot cornerback to begin the year, and he remained in an important role throughout the season. He played in all 17 games while starting six of them, which is unheard of for undrafted rookies in their first season in the league.

Bishop got picked on some by opposing teams during his rookie season, especially early on, but he also made big plays. That included two interceptions off of Aaron Rodgers while the veteran quarterback was playing with the New York Jets. The young corner seemed to improve as the year went along, but Pittsburgh reshaping the secondary during the 2025 offseason didn't seem to help Bishop's chances of making the final roster. He was initially cut, but he was brought back on the practice squad. He has yet to be elevated during the 2025 season, but that is more than likely to happen with Ramsey's injury.

The second-year player has some experience with the Browns. He played in both games against Cleveland in 2024, tallying 79 total defensive snaps. He totaled eight tackles and a pass break up.

Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. Could Bolster Special Teams While Providing Depth On Defense

Bishop played a decent amount of special teams during his rookie year in 2024, and that is something that could be a benefit of elevating him to the active roster during Ramsey's absence. He can provide experience and depth on defense, while also being able to contribute in the third phase of the game. By no means was Bishop the best slot cornerback in the NFL during the 2024 season, but he can hold his weight for a series or two if that is what is needed. If he does see meaningful defensive snaps, hopefully he can make some splash plays like he did during the 2024 season.

Do you want to see Bishop on the active roster for the Week 6 matchup with the Browns? Let us know in the comments below!

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