PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb had a standout performance in Saturday night's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . He recorded four tackles, three of which were solos.
Holcomb feels better than ever right now after sitting out all of last year due to a devastating knee injury suffered in November of 2023.
"Yeah, I mean, for me personally, It felt good. It finally felt … got that first game outta the way, so kind of could just get back to like that normalcy of playing again," Holcomb said. "Last week was a big moment, so my eyes were a little all over the place in the beginning of the game.
"But this week I felt like everything calmed down. I was able to just kind of get back to like, doing my thing and doing what I do.
For Holcomb, the main thing is confidence. He has his swagger back.
"Obviously everybody knows I missed last season. I didn't play a game. So for me, I need to go out there and prove to everybody in the entire NFL that I can still play," Holcomb said. "That I'm back. I'm just as good as I was before the injury. I've got my confidence back. I feel good."
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Cole Holcomb at training camp on July 25, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been impressed with what he's seen from Holcomb.
"I thought on the surface it was solid," Tomlin said. "I don't have anything other than that from a reactionary standpoint. I certainly will next time we come together."
Holcomb has come a long way since suffering a serious knee injury midway through the 2023 season. He saw his first NFL action since suffering the injury last weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars , and he played well.
That has earned him the attention and respect of his teammates, including long-time Steelers team captain Cameron Heyward .
"Cole flew around. To think about the injury he sustained just a year ago, and to watch him battle back and put in the work. Most guys would've retired by now, to be honest," Heyward said on the latest episode of Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. "To see Cole out there, he looks better than ever. He's feeling more confident, more comfortable, and he's done it at a high level before."
It's been a long road to recovery for Holcomb, but he was determined to not let his injury be the end of his NFL career.
In fact, Holcomb was playing some of the best football of his career before he went down, recording 54 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed in eight games with the Steelers.
That, unfortunately, came to a halt in that Thursday Night Football game during the 2023 season. However, Holcomb is now focused on returning as the same, if not better, impactful player.
"Been working hard to come back, and it's been a long road," Holcomb said . "I felt like I'm picking up where I left off."
Aaron Becker contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Cole Holcomb: 'I've Got My Confidence Back'
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