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Steelers secondary facing major change after DeShon Elliott injury
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- Steelers secondary facing major change after DeShon Elliott injury
Steelers secondary facing major change after DeShon Elliott injury
While much of the offseason chatter surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers ' secondary has focused on Joey Porter Jr.'s contract, a quieter yet critical problem is brewing on the back end. An injury to starting strong safety DeShon Elliott has derailed Pittsburgh's defensive blueprints, forcing the coaching staff into an unexpected scheme reshuffle just days before the opener.
Appearing on 93.7 The Fan, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo explained that Elliott's absence directly disrupts how defensive coordinator Patrick Graham planned to deploy star defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
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"Their secondary right now is a mess beyond the Joey Porter situation," Fittipaldo noted. "They're going to have to figure out if Rayshawn Jenkins, a 10-year vet who has bounced around the league, is going to be their starter at strong safety, or they're going to have to decide, are they going to go back and push Jalen Ramsey back to safety where he played in the second half of last season. That is not what their plan was."
Moving Ramsey back to safety fixes one hole while creating another, stripping the defense of his premier slot and boundary versatility. Alternatively, turning to Jenkins, a veteran signed in early August after being available on the street, requires fast-tracking a newcomer into a starting role.
Despite the late arrival, Jenkins has made a strong impression on the coaching staff. "Jenkins, if you listen to Omar Khan and the coaches, he's adapted very well," Fittipaldo added. "So, you know, he's put himself in a position to start again and, you know, maybe we shouldn't be surprised. There's a reason guys stick around in the NFL for a decade or more."
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Whether Pittsburgh trusts Jenkins to handle starter snaps or relents and shifts Ramsey back, Elliott's injury leaves the secondary scrambling to adjust before facing elite passing offenses.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers secondary facing major change after DeShon Elliott injury
