TAMPA, Fla. —Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of team's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and will not return.
Echols, the team's backup slot cornerback, has played almost exclusively on special teams and as the Steelers' dime cornerback. He did not record any statistics in the first half against the Buccaneers.
The Steelers made veteran cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Terrell Smith inactive, meaning that young special teamer Doneiko Slaughter will likely serve as the primary backup to starting slot cornerback Jalen Ramsey for the remainder of the game.
Echols has played in all six games for the Steelers this season, and has recorded a total of four tackles. He missed practice time earlier this season while in the concussion protocol, but did not miss a game.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols in a game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Echols first joined the Steelers in 202, as a free agent from the New York Jets. Last season, he played in 16 games and made three starts, recording two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six passes defended, 48 tackles, three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
Originally a sixth-round pick of the Jets out of Kentucky in the 2021 NFL Draft, Echols spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in New York, playing in 57 games and making 19 starts. His best statistical season was as a rookie in 2021.
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