EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. —The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a key member of their defense to injury in the first half of their season opener against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Safety DeShon Elliott was injured when a played rolled into the side of his left leg on a Breece Hall run in the second quarter of the game.
He got to his feet, but threw his helmet off in anger as the training staff came over to him. Elliott walked under his own power to the blue medical tent on the Steelers sideline. He emerged from the tent with a noticeable limp and without his helmet.
The Steelers announced that Elliott suffered a knee injury and listed him as doubtful to return.
The Steelers replaced Elliott with a combination of moving Jalen Ramsey from cornerback to safety and bringing in backup Chuck Clark . Special teamer Miles Killebrew is the only other safety
Elliott was the team's second-leading tackler in 2024, record 108 total stops, behind only linebacker Patrick Queen . His loss will certainly not help a run defense that struggled in the first half against the Jets.
The Steelers gave up 91 yards rushing and an average of 4.6 yards per carry to the Jets in the first half before Elliott's injury, while trailing 16-10. The Jets added a field goal immediately following Elliott's departure.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott at practice on Aug. 1, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Elliott was a surprise star as a free agent signing in 2024, becoming an unexpectedly key part of the defense after joining the club. He signed a two-year contract extension earlier this offseason.
The Steelers had already been playing without first-round pick Derrick Hamon on the defensive line and also without backup edge rusher Nick Herbig.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Lose Crucial Defender to Injury vs. NY Jets
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