The Steelers could be getting some help in their defensive backfield soon, with head coach Mike McCarthy telling reporters Monday that safety DeShon Elliott is “getting close” to a return off of injured reserve.
“DeShon is making progress,” McCarthy said. “Had a chance to watch him work last week, so he’s definitely getting close. He’s chomping at the bit. He’s definitely made progress.”
Entering Week 5 of the season, Elliott is eligible to return after being placed on injured reserve on roster cutdown
day. Still, McCarthy didn’t provide an exact estimate of when the starting strong safety is expected back in the lineup.
“I don’t have a timeline for you,” the head coach said, “but I thought (Elliott) had a really good workout last Wednesday.”
With Joey Porter Jr. now in Dallas, Jamel Dean banged up and veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins being benched in the Steelers’ loss to the Browns, Pittsburgh could use Elliott back in the lineup. The safety briefly played in the 2026 preseason after coming back from a knee injury that led him to missing the second half of the 2025 season, but was placed back on IR in late August.
Currently, Jaquan Brisker, Jenkins, Robert Spears-Jennings and Jalen Ramsey have handled the bulk of the Steelers’ safety duties through the first four games of the season.
