The Pittsburgh Steelers had a rough 2025 season when it came to the defensive side of the football. There was so much talent on paper, but the unit was unable to produce like it was expected to. Everyone was hyping the group up heading into the season, but the defense got humbled quickly after a rough showing against the New York Jets in Week 1. A player that didn't seem to be healthy throughout the season was safety DeShon Elliott. He was banged up to start the campaign, and then a knee injury that he suffered against the Green Bay Packers took him out for the rest of the season.
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Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) stands on the field as Pittsburgh goes through a workout during the annual Friday Night Lights practice at 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
There is no denying that the Steelers missed having Elliott out on the field. He is a great leader for the defense, and he is also extremely productive as a safety. He is one of the best in the league when it comes down to coming up from the secondary and making a play in the run, and he can also hold his own in coverage. The Steelers missed him throughout the back half of the year, and fans have been waiting for an update on the safety's health. He joined Cam Heyward on Not Just Football on Wednesday, and he shared an update about how things are going with his recovery.
"This offseason, I've really been focused and locked in on getting back healthy," Elliott said. "I'm almost there. I have an appointment tomorrow actually with my doc back in Dallas. He should give me, well it's going to be a good update. I've been the one working out and training, so. By the time training camp comes around, I'll be ready to play ball. To be honest, I might workout during minicamp probably. We'll see."
In Week 8 of the 2025 season, Elliott hyperextended his knee, and it was later revealed that he also suffered a severe hamstring injury. He essentially tore the hamstring off of the bone, which is typically something that requires surgery. This is the same injury that ended the 2024 season for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, and he underwent season-ending surgery with a specialist in New York and was healthy to begin the 2025 season.
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Quarterback Dak Prescott walks off the field after the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFC Wild Card game.
Prescott's recovery from this injury went well and he had one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, which bodes well for Elliott. The two obviously play very different positions, but this should provide some optimism for the fan base.
Elliott was an extremely important part of Pittsburgh's defense in 2024. He was second on the team in total tackles despite only playing in 15 games, and he also forced two fumbles and had a pick. He is productive on the field, and he is playing the best football of his career after bouncing around with the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. When healthy, he has shown he can be one of the better safeties in the league, and that is what Pittsburgh is hoping to get back in 2026.
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Steelers' DeShon Elliott makes a physical tackle during a win over the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
Steelers Now Employ A Crowded Safety Room
The Steelers have Elliott at safety, and Jalen Ramsey is also counted as a safety as his days as a primary outside corner seem to be done with. The organization also went out and signed Jaquan Brisker in free agency, and there is reason to believe the franchise might be interested in drafting a player at the position as well. Elliott should still be the unquestioned starter at strong safety, but Brisker is able to do a lot of the same things that Elliott can.
What do you think about the injury update from Elliott? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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