Pittsburgh’s standout safety, DeShon Elliott, is already battling a brand-new ankle injury, just weeks after returning from a serious season-ending issue in 2025. This hit the injury report right after the bye week, ahead of their massive Week 10 Sunday Night Football clash against the Cincinnati Bengals. Talk about bad timing for an elite unit.
Another Setback for Elliott
The news came out of Wednesday’s Week 10 injury report, listing Elliott as a limited participant with this new ankle problem. The crazy part? Nobody seems to know when he even picked it up. The dude played in the past two games, finishing both contests, logging 33% of defensive snaps in Week 7 and 34% in Week 8. That shows grit, but an ankle issue right after coming off IR? It’s a gut punch for sure. He literally just returned to action in Week 7 of this 2026 season, stepping into a rotational safety role alongside rookie Robert Spears-Jennings, while Jaquan Brisker holds down the full-time starting spot.
A Tough Road Back to the Field
This new ankle issue comes after Elliott’s brutal 2025 season, which ended early due to a hyperextended knee and torn hamstring in Week 8. It’s been a long road back for a player who’s been all over the league, starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens (2018-2021), then moving to the Detroit Lions (2022) and Miami Dolphins (2023) before landing with Pittsburgh in 2024. He instantly made an impact, earning himself a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension in 2025 after a red-hot 2024 campaign where he racked up 108 tackles. He’s one of the NFL’s most versatile and exceptional tackling safeties, so his presence is huge.
Stakes Are High for an Elite Defense
The Steelers’ defense has been absolutely elite this season. That’s a fact. But they could definitely do without *any* additional injury woes, especially when you’re talking about a veteran talent like Elliott. This isn’t just about one guy, it’s about maintaining the depth and firepower of a unit that’s been lights out. Everyone’s holding their breath, hoping Elliott can upgrade to full participation and be available for that massive Week 10 matchup against the Bengals. This is Sunday Night Football, folks. The stakes are as high as they get.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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