Steelers Get Encouraging Update On Safety DeShon Elliott Ahead Of Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to kick off the Sunday slate of Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season with their game in Paris, France against the New Orleans Saints. Following a victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they now shift their focus to another NFC South team. The defense has been a huge story for new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, specifically in his secondary. At times, they have been thin in that department, especially since they traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. However, safety DeShon Elliott appears to be close to returning from injury. If he officially comes back Sunday, he makes an immediate difference in the secondary.

The Pittsburgh safety was working his way back from injury and even played in the preseason this summer, but then was placed on Injured Reserve (IR). The move came as a shock, but it appeared he was still dealing with the lingering effects of his knee / hamstring injury that ultimately ended his 2025 season. With the team moving on from veteran Rayshawn Jenkins recently, it created speculation about a potential return soon. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Jeff Hathhorn joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh following practice. During his appearance, he was asked about the potential return of the veteran safety to the field. He also gloated about the impact he brings when on the field with his teammates. 

“[DeShon Elliott] is a guy that can collect these guys, get them in the right position,” Hathhorn said. “They also respect him for his physicality and what he’s able to do from that standpoint. There’s an attitude that he brings when he’s out there on the field.”

While Graham's group has done a great job battling through a milder injury to cornerback Jamel Dean on top of the loss to Porter, Elliott returning would be a huge addition to take pressure off the secondary and instantly make them better. In his 2024 season in Pittsburgh, the veteran had an interception as well as two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also had 108 total tackles in that season, which is a career-high. With Hathhorn also mentioning Elliott practiced in full Wednesday, this could provide a huge boost to the secondary if he is ready to get back out on the field in real games.

One big focal point for Graham to fix on the defense coming into this season was the poor communication that led to lapses in coverage in the 2025 season. While Elliott's numbers speak for themselves, he also brings an intangible element to his game where he can help keep things like communication in a good spot in games. That is one of the ways he can collect the players while getting them into the right position as Hathhorn alluded to on Wednesday.

Steelers Benefit From Elliott Helping Develop Younger Players On Defense

The veteran presence that the safety brings to the table can also go a long way in helping to develop younger players for Graham's group. Rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings has been thrown into the fire in his first NFL season, with much of that coming due to the injuries the Steelers have had to endure on defense. Despite that, the Oklahoma Sooners product does have an interception in six games played so far this season. With the return of a veteran at his position, it allows him to grow and develop, while also still getting reps on the field in his rookie season with the franchise.

The long-anticipated return of Elliott would be a welcome sight for Graham's secondary that has done a great job to hold things down in his absence. For much of the 2026 season, the defense has been able to hold up and give the Steelers a chance to win just about every game. Now they are very close to getting reinforcements in a disciplined veteran at safety. When that happens, he brings the benefits of being able to impact games with his play while also being able to help his teammates around him.

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