The Steelers will be shorthanded on defense in Week 2. At his Tuesday press conference, Mike Tomlin confirmed that rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, linebacker Malik Harrison, and safety DeShon Elliott will all miss time. By Wednesday, the team’s injury picture grew clearer. Six players did not practice as Pittsburgh began preparing for the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium. Of those, four were sidelined due to injury or illness.

Elliott and Harmon have already been ruled out for Sunday, while the status of others remains fluid. Tomlin noted he was “hopeful” cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and linebacker Nick Herbig would be ready to go. While Pittsburgh looks to stabilize a defense already missing two of its projected starters, there seems to be a new development in their return timeline.

Deepak Chona, a respected NFL physician and sports injury analyst, revealed on X that both DeShon Elliott and Derrick Harmon are dealing with MCL sprains. According to Chona, Elliott’s average recovery timeline is two to three weeks with a rapid ramp-up, making a Week 3 or Week 4 return most likely. Harmon, meanwhile, is trending toward a Week 3 return.

Elliott’s injury came against the Jets when his knee bent awkwardly while wrapping up running back Breece Hall. Chuck Clark stepped in at safety after Elliott left the game. Before the injury, Elliott had already racked up six tackles, including two run stops, showing just how central he is to Pittsburgh’s defense.

His absence won’t make it any easier for a defense still trying to bolden up. Elliott has had a lengthy injury history since entering the league in 2018. But his play in 2024 earned him a two-year extension after a career season while trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick. His target now is to return in time for the Steelers’ International Series game in Dublin against the Vikings.

Meanwhile, Harmon, Pittsburgh’s first-round rookie, has been sidelined since the preseason finale against Carolina on Aug. 21. He missed all practices leading up to Week 1 and had to watch from the sideline as the Steelers allowed 182 rushing yards to the Jets, including 107 to Hall.

Harmon was replaced in the starting lineup by Isaiahh Loudermilk, but the run defense struggled badly without him. Despite the setback, Harmon has kept perspective. “Injuries are part of this game, and at this level, it’s part of what we do,” he said. “So just trying to keep my hopes up and keep me mentally prepared and mentally focused.” Pittsburgh chose not to place him on injured reserve. Leaving the door open for an earlier return. To replace the young starter, Tomlin has already said it would “be a committee of people.” At least he isn’t leaving the defensive line bare.

DeShon Elliott’s absence forces Steelers to turn to Jabrill Peppers

The Steelers didn’t waste any time filling the hole left by DeShon Elliott’s knee injury. On Wednesday, Mike Tomlin pulled another first-round talent into the fold, signing veteran safety Jabrill Peppers. Tomlin didn’t sugarcoat it. “He’s a football player first, positional player second,” he said, noting Peppers’ ability to play both safety spots and even contribute on special teams.

Peppers himself comes with a suitcase full of storylines. Drafted 25th overall in 2017, he’s logged time with the Browns, Giants, and most recently the Patriots. Where he started 26 games before a surprise release last month. His résumé? 7 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, and 511 tackles in an eight-year career. But it’s not just stats. Pepper’s path has been messy. For a man who was once handed a three-year, $24 million extension, that New England exit felt like a door slamming. Pittsburgh just cracked it back open. And in a twist of fate? He’ll see his old team, the Patriots, in Week 3 when the Steelers march into Gillette Stadium.

For now, the urgency is real. Elliott’s MCL sprain may only sideline him for a couple of weeks, but without him, things could get scrambled fast, and Tomlin knows it. That’s why he isn’t just asking Peppers to “fill in.” He’s demanding that the entire run defense tighten up before Seattle comes to town. The Jets smashed them on the ground in Week 1, and with Elliott sidelined, Pittsburgh can’t afford another freefall.