FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —New Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jabrill Peppers made his first career start with the team — and first defensive snaps — playing against his old squad, the New England Patriots .
The Steelers signed Peppers in Week 2 after he was released by the Pats coming out of training camp this year. He played seven snaps, all on special teams, in Week 2. Now, he's helping to replace injured strong safety DeShon Elliott in the starting lineup.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hinted on Tuesday that he would be willing to use Peppers more this week, after allowing him to get his feet wet with a new team last week.
"Certainly being his second week here, I'm hoping to expand the utilization of him not only as a teamer, but as a defender," Tomlin said .
It should help that Peppers will be very familiar with the New England offense, having sparred with them all offseason. He also admitted that the game will have increased emotional significance.
"I'm the type of guy that this does mean a little more for me," Peppers said . "This is the first time I had a situation like this — getting cut and then playing the team that cuts you like two weeks later. Typically, in other places, I was there the whole year and then they didn't sign me back. That happened with the Giants and Cleveland . I'm used to that. You can't let your emotions get the best of you. You have to treat it like another game, but if I'm being honest, it's definitely going to be a little extra for me."
Elliott was injured in the season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 7. Veteran backup Chuck Clark replaced him alongside Juan Thornhill after the injury and in Week 2.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : New Steelers Safety Makes First Start against Former Team
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