The Pittsburgh Steelers are edging closer to reintroducing two key defensive pieces this season. Linebacker Malik Harrison has entered his 21‑day practice window after a knee injury sidelined him early. Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. remains on injured reserve, but team sources say he is nearing full‑practice status. The club will evaluate both carefully before activating them.
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Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (27) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Malik Harrison's previous seasons with Baltimore were promising. With stats like appearing in 76 games, notching 144 career tackles, 78 solo stops, and seven tackles for loss, he seemed like a good pick for the Steelers. Pittsburgh committed, believing it could bolster run defense and clearly improve special teams. But in Week 1 this year, Harrison suffered a knee injury during his four defensive snaps and 16 special teams plays. Soon afterward, he was placed on injured reserve.
Plenty of eyes noticed this, and the Steelers' ranks were impacted on special teams. Serious injuries among good players are enough to break any line, without the opposing team moving an inch. Fans and best sports betting sites are paying close attention to how the Steelers and other teams' stories unfold and are adjusting their bets and predictions, as every team has its ups and downs during a season. As the name implies, the Steelers are built differently, and it's far from over for them.
On October 13, the Steelers officially opened Harrison’s practice window. That allows him to join practice for up to 21 days while still on IR, and within that period, Pittsburgh must make a decision: either activate him to the 53‑man roster or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season. The short‑term timetable implies he could return in time for a crucial matchup, though the club will not rush him; head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that Harrison’s activation depends on the quality of his practice work, not simply on the clock. This is just one of the many decisions that must be made within the Steelers after NFL Coaching Shakeup, and they have their work cut up for them.
Harrison’s delayed return carries meaningful implications. The conditioning aspect cannot be ignored. Having logged only 20 snaps this season, Harrison will likely begin in a limited role. His snap count will increase gradually, not all at once. The staff will monitor how his knee responds under live‑game stress rather than simply trusting practice reps. Maybe they'll activate rookie Will Howard earlier, as any help is welcomed. Anything can happen at this point.
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Steelers quarterback Will Howard gets ready to unleash a pass as he runs through a drill as the team works out during the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA.
On the secondary side, Cory Trice Jr.’s road back has been bumpier, but he’s been labeled as a “critical cornerback.” On paper, it may not look good for him. He missed all of his rookie year after tearing his ACL. And in the last season, he had a hamstring injury. To add even more salt to the wound, he was a seventh-round pick in 2023. Early this year, during training camp, he suffered another hamstring setback and was placed on injured reserve on August 26 with a designation to return tag. That status means he sits at least four weeks, and the Steelers have yet to open his practice window.
While Trice’s status appears closer to full health than previously, the organization seems comfortable letting him mature behind the scenes rather than rushing him into game action. The cornerback room in Pittsburgh underwent significant change this offseason. New additions and veterans now occupy most of the snaps while Trice remains a developmental piece. When he returns, his role may be modest—perhaps special teams and rotational coverage—rather than immediate starter responsibilities.
From a roster‑strategy perspective, these impending returns are timely. Pittsburgh placed safety Miles Killebrew on injured reserve mid‑October, opening a roster slot and underscoring the urgency to reintegrate healthy depth. Bringing back Harrison and even Trice provides the club with more options to deploy as injuries mount across the long season. The 2025 schedule includes matchups demanding stout linebacker play and cornerback flexibility. A return to health of these two could alter how the Steelers manage substitutions, matchups, and special teams assignments.
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Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Still, uncertainty remains. Harrison must show in practice that his knee responds to live drills, directional changes, and contact. Past history suggests that earlier returns after season‑opening injuries carry elevated re‑injury risk—so the Steelers will likely limit his exposure early. Cory Trice must demonstrate not only physical readiness but mental sharpness, particularly given his interrupted development.
If Harrison does not get activated, he remains on IR until next year. For Trice, the key is the open‑practice window—once that starts, the process begins. If he does not open it soon, his chances of meaningful 2025 snaps diminish. The club must decide how much to invest in their returns now versus preserving their long‑term availability.
The Steelers stand at a juncture as their defense needs corrections, and all the help it can get. The Steelers can still reintegrate two potentially impactful defenders and shift from hope to action. Reviewing the game film and practice reports over the next ten days will provide indicators of whether Pittsburgh’s depth returns to where it believed it could be when the deals were made. The fans, staff, and players alike will be watching closely.
