Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott hinted at a possible return with a social media post on Wednesday.
Elliott posted a picture of himself in his Steelers uniform on Instagram on with the caption TBC — to be continued — on Wednesday.
#Steelers SS DeShon Elliott's IG story this morning. I saw him in the locker room on Monday. He's been trying to give himself a chance to get back this season.
Sounds like he might be getting his practice widow opened. pic.twitter.com/pE2zSAvXQX
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 7, 2026
Elliott has been out since Week 8, when he suffered a knee injury against the Green Bay Packers. It was initially reported that Elliott could miss the entire 2025 season with the injury, though head coach Mike Tomlin said that he merely suffered a hyperextended knee and was considered week to week.
Elliott was eligible to be reinstated for the Steelers’ Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 30, but has not yet opened his 21-day practice window. His post on Wednesday suggests that might be coming this week.
One of the biggest bright spots of the team’s 2024 secondary, Elliott came with a new contract and was expected to lock down the starting strong safety role, but played just five games thanks to a pair of knee injuries. He finished the regular season with 38 tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, two passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception.
The Steelers traded for Kyle Dugger to replace Elliott, and moved Jalen Ramsey to free safety to further stabilize the back end of the secondary. The duo has been largely playing well, but has struggled in the last two weeks.
Dugger allowed the game’s only touchdown in the team’s Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, while the secondary had several missed assignments for big plays in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. Additionally, Ramsey gave up a fourth-down pass to Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, that nearly cost the team the game, before Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal.
The Steelers can bring two players back from the injured reserve list during the playoffs, with Elliott, defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk and tight end Darnell Washington the three players on IR who have not been definitively ruled out for the season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Injured Steelers DB Cryptically Hints at Return
