According to Cassidy Wood of KDKA, Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott suffered a knee injury in the Steelers vs Jets game yesterday. Wood noted that the replay “didn’t look good,” with Elliott’s knee bending in a way it never should. After the injury, he could barely put weight on his leg, and while there has been no official word on the severity, the concern is real. Any extended absence would leave the Steelers dangerously thin at safety, especially after trading away star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick earlier this offseason. Depth at the position was already a bit of a concern, and Elliott’s injury puts the secondary in a vulnerable spot. If the Steelers want to remain competitive in a stacked AFC North, they should explore the safety market for reinforcements.
Steelers Should Explore the Safety Market Following The DeShon Elliott Injury
Options Available
The most notable name still on the board is veteran safety Justin Simmons. One of the better safeties of the last decade, Simmons brings proven experience and high-level production. He spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons and is now looking to sign with a Super Bowl contender. A two-time Pro Bowler, Simmons is coming off a 2024 campaign that included two interceptions and seven passes defended. Beyond his ball skills, he offers vocal leadership in the secondary. Simmons has the ability to diagnose plays quickly, direct teammates into the right spots, and set the tone for a defense that needs stability. For a Pittsburgh team that’s had many defensive collapses in recent playoff games, Simmons can be the vocal leader they need at safety.
Another intriguing option is veteran Jabrill Peppers. A former first-round pick, Peppers was recently released by the New England Patriots after three seasons in Foxborough. Known for his hard-hitting style, Peppers has the versatility that would help the Steelers in multiple alignments. Last year, he started six games, posting one interception and two passes defended. In 2023, he was even more impactful, recording eight passes defended and two interceptions across fifteen starts. Peppers has shown the ability to line up in different spots, whether as a traditional safety or in a hybrid role closer to the box. His aggressive play style would complement the Steelers’ physical brand of football while giving them flexibility in sub-packages.
Why Pittsburgh Needs to Act
If Elliott does miss significant time, the Steelers cannot afford to rely solely on unproven depth. Knee injuries are unpredictable, and this one looked serious enough to potentially cost him multiple games or even the entire season if tests confirm the worst. That would leave Pittsburgh with a glaring weakness in the secondary. On the other hand, even if Elliot doesn’t miss much time, the Steelers should still explore the safety market. Justin Simmons is still an upgrade over anyone in their current safety room. Adding a proven safety would give Mike Tomlin’s defense insurance and stability. Both Simmons and Peppers bring unique traits, but each would immediately raise the floor of the position group. Simmons offers veteran leadership and ball hawk ability, while Peppers provides versatility and toughness.
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