The Pittsburgh Steelers are very close to the start of the regular season as the group has already played in two preseason games. The preseason finale is on Thursday, and then the roster will be trimmed down. The coaching staff will then begin to focus on the regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers' roster looks better now than it did at this time in 2025, but the group still needs to get completely healthy, and that is especially true in the secondary. Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols, and Jaquan Brisker have all missed significant time due to injury.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers star defenders Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Jalen Ramsey (5) during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Both Ramsey and Porter began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Ramsey's injury is from the spring, but there has still not been any more details released about what the injury might be. Porter reportedly tweaked his back the day before camp began, but he is also dealing with some contract negotiations that could also be playing a role in his status.
Ramsey's injury has been a bit of a mystery, but Head Coach Mike McCarthy told the media on Monday that the veteran defensive back will be activated off of the PUP, and rookie Max Iheanachor will also be returning to practice which was reported by Brooke Pryor.
"Mike McCarthy says Jalen Ramsey will be activated off PUP today and return to practice," Pryor wrote. "Rookie tackle Max Iheanachor is also expected to return to practice."
It is good news that Ramsey is returning to the practice field as he is a big part of the communication on the backend of the defense. Reps with him and the rest of the players on the defense are absolutely vital, while it will also be good to see Iheanachor back on the field as well as he may be able to make his preseason debut on Thursday.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Jalen Ramsey looks on during the 2026 offseason while he holds the football.
Ramsey is an extremely important part of the defense in Pittsburgh. He is still listed as a cornerback, but he will likely be the free safety in the base defense. In nickel and dime sets he will be playing the "star" position, which is what Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham calls his slot cornerback. Brisker would take Ramsey's spot at safety in those situations, which is why having Ramsey healthy is so important. If he can't go it would be a different safety on the field in base packages and then a different slot cornerback in other situations. His health is crucial to the success of the defense as a whole in 2026.
Steelers Still Waiting On More Secondary Help
With Ramsey back, the Steelers are now just waiting on Echols, Brisker, and Porter. Porter needs a new deal, and that extension should come before the regular season begins. There were some rumors about him potentially having trade interest, but a few beat writers have already shut down the idea that the franchise would even consider dealing the star cornerback. The current theory is that as soon as he signs a new deal, his back will heal and he will be back on the football field.
Echols and Brisker are two other big pieces of the secondary. Echols was one of the biggest surprises for the Steelers in 2025, and he has shown that he can play in the slot and on the outside. He is versatile, productive, and a willing tackler, and even though he won't be a starter it will be important to have him healthy going into the season. The same is true for Brisker, who is expected to see the field a good amount at safety. He was a good starter throughout the first four years of his career, and now he will get to build on that.
Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X (@brogannoey) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I’m always open to hearing different perspectives, breaking down games, and talking all things Pittsburgh football.
#SteelerNation