Steelers Throw Stunning Lineup Curveball As DeShon Elliott Will Have To Fight For His Spot

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-2 through the first six weeks of the 2026 NFL season, and the team is already pretty banged up. The wide receiver position is thin after both Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson were placed on Injured Reserve (IR). The secondary has also had some issues as cornerback Jamel Dean missed some time with a sprained ankle, and DeShon Elliott began the regular season on IR. That was a bit of a surprise after he recovered throughout the offseason from a knee and hamstring injury that he sustained in 2025. His practice window opened a couple of weeks ago, and he has to be activated ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 7 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Elliott initially went down during a game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football last year. He hyperextended his knee and also sustained a hamstring injury that required surgery and kept him out for the rest of the season. Elliott landing on IR before the 2026 season was certainly a surprise. He was limited to begin training camp, but he eventually became a full participant and even started a preseason game. He was placed on IR to begin the season, but he is finally set to make his debut in Week 7 against the Saints. 

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham spoke to the media on Monday, and he was asked about what it might look like with Elliott returning to the field. He was noncommittal on Elliott's role, and he even mentioned that the veteran safety would likely be in competition with some other guys for snaps.

"We'll see what happens this week, but I think the group is really coming together," Graham said. "It will be interesting to see how that goes down in terms of the chemistry and how it flows together. Guys have all stepped up in their role. You're seeing young players grow in that role. You're seeing other guys take on more. So, it will be interesting to see. We'll just let the competition play out. Let everything happen organically, as people say now, and let it play out. But looking forward to it."

Elliott has been a very important piece of the Steelers defense over the last two seasons, especially in 2024 and in 2025 before he got hurt. He was a pleasant surprise from the signings the franchise made during the 2024 offseason, and it is hard to imagine that he would not have a starting role upon his return.

With Elliott missing the first six games of the season, the two players that were thrust into larger roles were Jaquan Brisker and rookie Robert Spears-Jennings. Spears-Jennings has played well and seems to be improving week after week, while Brisker has been reliable in the run game as a safety. The defense has not been playing well enough for Graham to be worried about disrupting any sort of chemistry in the secondary. Elliott should return to his starting role, while Brisker and Spears-Jennings would still see a good chunk of playing time.

Steelers Could Operate In The Big Nickel

Teams have their base defenses and then a nickel defense. The nickel defense means a linebacker comes off of the field and is replaced by another defensive back, and with the passing game being so explosive in the NFL, a ton of teams treat the nickel defense as their base defense. The Steelers could utilize the big nickel once Elliott returns. Elliott and Brisker can start at safety, or Elliott and Spears-Jennings, and when going into the big nickel, Brisker would move into the box as a linebacker. Big nickel is a nickel defense with an extra safety taking the spot of an inside linebacker as a hybrid defender, and Brisker could be that.

The Steelers have struggled at inside linebacker, and this could be a possible fix for that while getting Elliott onto the field.

What do you think about Graham's comments on Elliott's return to the field? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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