DeShon Elliott is questionable for Sunday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are one roster move away from getting their starting safety back against the New Orleans Saints. The spot is open after Rayshawn Jenkins' release. If Elliott's knee responds well Saturday, use it. Brandin Echols is out, Sebastian Joseph-Day is on injured reserve, and Patrick Graham could use another defender he trusts. Thursday's T.J. Watt calf listing brought enough bad news for one week.
Friday's official injury report looks better: Watt, Jalen Ramsey (wrist), and Alex Highsmith (groin) were listed as full participants and have no game designation. Cameron Heyward was also listed full after rest days. A wind and rain storm canceled Pittsburgh's planned walkthrough , so every Friday participation mark is an estimate. That includes Elliott's third full listing of the week.
| Player |
Position |
Injury |
Wed. |
Thur. |
Fri. |
Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Ramsey |
CB |
Wrist |
DNP |
LP |
FP |
- |
| Rico Dowdle |
RB |
Knee |
LP |
LP |
LP |
Questionable |
| AlexHighsmith |
LB |
Groin |
LP |
LP |
FP |
- |
| Cameron Heyward |
DT |
NIR/Rest |
DNP |
DNP |
FP |
- |
| DeShon Elliott* |
S |
Knee |
FP |
FP |
FP |
Questionable |
| Brandin Echols |
CB |
Hamstring |
DNP |
DNP |
DNP |
Out |
| Ben Skowronek |
WR |
Calf |
DNP |
DNP |
Out |
|
| T.J. Watt |
LB |
NIR/Rest/Calf |
DNP |
LP |
- |
*Injured Reserve - Designated For Return Report is an estimate, as the Steelers did not practice on Friday
Rico Dowdle was estimated limited with a knee injury and is questionable. Echols (hamstring) and Ben Skowronek (calf) were estimated nonparticipants and are out. The Steelers have encouraging news on their edge rushers, but they're still short a corner and a defensive lineman. Elliott can help with the first problem only if Pittsburgh activates him. Dowdle's status could also leave Jaylen Warren with more of the backfield work.
I'd put Elliott back beside Jaquan Brisker and keep Robert Spears-Jennings involved at safety. Elliott doesn't need every snap in his first game back from a knee injury. Give him a role he can handle, then see how he responds. Leaving him on injured reserve if he gets through Saturday's practice would be harder to defend with Echols already out.
Echols' absence leaves Ramsey without his usual backup at nickel. Send Ramsey outside for a stretch, and Graham needs someone else in the slot while Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. hold their outside jobs. The Saints could go straight at whoever inherits those inside snaps. Elliott gives Graham more help at safety, but he can't play nickel, too.
Joseph-Day's injury puts more on Gabriel Rubio . The sixth-round rookie can help Yahya Black and Keeanu Benton against the run; Heyward and the rookies still have to cover the rest of Joseph-Day's rotation. Skowronek's absence leaves DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard carrying a thin receiver group on the other side of the ball.
Mike McCarthy says the Elliott call comes after Saturday's practice. Pittsburgh has the roster spot. That's the move to watch before Sunday's inactive list.
This article was originally published on www.stillcurtain.com as Steelers get T.J. Watt relief with DeShon Elliott's return still in doubt .
