Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Two injured defensive backs returned to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday for the first time since their injuries.
Strong safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. both were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice session at UPMC Sports Complex as the Steelers get set to travel to Dublin, Ireland to face the Minnesota Vikings.
Elliott and Porter were both injured during the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the New York Jets. Elliott has been dealing with an MCL sprain, while Porter has a hamstring injury. Chuck Clark and Brandin Echols have been replacing the pair of defensive backs, and they’ll greatly benefit from the added depth if Porter and/or Elliott is able to return against Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and company this week.
Queen suffered an oblique injury during the Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks. He played in Week 3 and is expected to play in Week 4, but was limited in practice on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Slay suffered a leg contusion in Week 3 against the New England Patriots. He did not practice on Wednesday, Sept. 24, but was listed as a resting veteran and not with an injury status. He is expected to play in Week 4.
Elliott suffered a knee injury during the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the New York Jets. He did not return to the game and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain. Elliott did not play in Week 2 or Week 3. He is questionable to return in Week 4. Elliott returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Porter Jr. suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the New York Jets. Tomlin said he was held out as a precaution, but Porter did not practice the following week and missed the team’s Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks and Week 3 game against the New England Patriots.
He is questionable to return in Week 4. Porter returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Highsmith was limited in practice on Friday, Sept. 12 — the first sign that there was a problem with his left ankle. He tried to play in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, but left the game in the first half and did not return.
Highsmith is expected to avoid injured reserve, but did not play in Week 3 and has already been ruled out for Week 4’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland.
Scharping tore his ACL in practice on Wednesday, Sept. 17 and he is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season. He was placed on the injured reserve list on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Trice suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s Friday Night Lights practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on...
