Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey revealed to media members Tuesday that he has a broken wrist, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported Tuesday.
Still, he hopes to play in the Steelers’ Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland
Browns despite less recovery time than usual due to the Thursday night kickoff.
“It’s just going to be about seeing if I’m able to protect (my wrist) and also still be myself in a good enough capacity where I feel like if I go out there, I won’t be letting any of my teammates down,” he said Tuesday, via Pryor.
Ramsey played every Steelers defensive snap last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The veteran defensive back was seen in a sling earlier in the week, but switched to a wrist brace in Tuesday’s walkthrough practice. While Pittsburgh has only estimated practice participation thus far this week, Ramsey has been listed as limited on both Monday and Tuesday.
Ramsey plays an important role in an already shorthanded Steelers secondary, seeing reps at both nickel cornerback and safety. Starting safety DeShon Elliott is on injured reserve for at least one more game, while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has yet to play this season amid reported back and conditioning issues as well as a contract dispute.
If Ramsey can’t go on Thursday, the Steelers will have some questions to answer at nickel cornerback. Cornerback Brandin Echols has started the week with two limited practices in concussion protocol, while the team’s next in line at slot corner, practice squad defender Doneiko Slaughter, has already been promoted to the active roster the maximum three times this season.
If the Steelers want to play Slaughter on Thursday, the team will need to officially sign him to the 53-man roster and cut another player to make space.
