The Pittsburgh Steelers are going back-to-back weeks with a completely healthy secondary, which seemed impossible just a week ago. Some players did get dinged up in their Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns, but outside of special teams captain Miles Killebrew, none of them were bad enough to even be mentioned postgame as something to look at during the week. For a team that has been dealing with major injuries ever since the start of training camp, this is amazing news.
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Steelers captain and special teams ace Miles Killebrew captures a view at training camp in 2022.
Part of that impressive feat comes from defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who injured himself in Week 4. He was supposed to be out for three weeks according to multiple sources, but the bye week seemed to be enough rest for him. As Mike DeFabo was told by DeShon Elliott, Ramsey had no plans of sitting out and didn't care who thought he was crazy.
"Bro, you need to sit out another week for sure with that hamstring," Elliott remembers saying to Ramsey. "He’s like, 'Nah, I’m playing.' He kept saying that. I’ve had a hamstring injury before, so I’m like, 'Alright bro, if that’s what you think.'"
It wasn't what he thought; it's what he knew. Ramsey had injured that hamstring mere days prior to this conversation with Elliott, and he refused to sit out of their game against the Browns. With how finicky hamstrings can be and how early it was in the season, making him rest and heal up would not have really upset anyone. Well, it may have upset Ramsey.
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Steelers' Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay during their debuts against the New York Jets in 2025.
DeFabo continues on, as he spoke about how the game plan had to change significantly during that week to work for Ramsey's sudden recovery.
"Elliott wasn’t the only one who had his doubts. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin devised a game plan that didn’t include Ramsey and began implementing it on Wednesday and Thursday, as the versatile defensive back sat out practices," DeFabo said. "But after a full day of work on Friday and some behind-the-scenes lobbying, Ramsey convinced the Steelers he was good to go."
With an injury seemingly as bad as that, of course Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin had to prepare like Ramsey would not play. At the very least, he had a talented, mostly healthy core to work with, so this deep unit could still work well. That all changed at the last minute.
Ramsey came back to practice on the Friday before the game and was officially listed as a full participant. As DeFabo mentioned, he had to speak with coaches after that to try and convince them that he was at full strength and ready to go for the upcoming game. They eventually did oblige him and put him in the lineup. He did not disappoint.
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Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey looks on as the team gets some work in during a 2025 training camp practice that was held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Ramsey had two sacks off of slot blitzes in that game in route to a dominating 23-9 victory. After his performance and the fact that his hamstring injury has not flared up yet, it's safe to say that he will be a full go on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. The Steelers did not hold him back then, and they certainly won't hold him back now.
Steelers Will Need Everyone In The Secondary
Even with Joe Flacco not being the same player he was 10 years ago, this secondary will likely get targeted throughout the game. When you have to cover the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the quarterback under center does not matter. It will be a long night, win or lose. Having Ramsey on the field should help make things easier, but any mistake could lead to a huge play.
What do you think about Ramsey's sudden hamstring recovery? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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