PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Limited to 19 snaps in his return, Steelers safety DeShon Elliott says he feels even better this week as he detailed what happened and his role going forward.
The 29-year-old described himself as getting his feet up under him. He admitted the first drive on Sunday in Paris was a little odd as he hadn’t played in over a year. But he’s good now and will play whatever role they want. Not sounding like he’s sure he will be an every down starter, but will see.
“Happy to see him out there,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham about Elliott. “Great energy on the sideline. My first time to be around him playing. I know he played a little bit in the preseason, but it was fun to see him out there. The communication stood out, the disguise element, the physicality; that all stood out. It was fun to see him play.”
We really didn’t know the extent of Elliott’s injury until after practice on Wednesday. He said he tore the hamstring completely off the bone behind the knee during Week 5 last year.
“It was pretty gruesome, not many players have ever had that,” Elliott said. “The fact I was able to come back is a testament to my hard work and the hard work I’ve put in, whether it’s this training room or the facilities I’ve trained at out in LA or wherever I was at.”
He played in the preseason game this year against the Jets, but admits now he rushed it. He wasn’t ready and it created a situation where the Steelers put him on Injured Reserve to start the season. He was frustrated about that decision, but says now it’s the best thing for him.
Elliott signed a two-year extension heading into this year for $12.5 million. The safety came to the Steelers in 2024, played in 15 games with 108 tackles (72 solo) with a pair of forced fumbles, an interception and six passes defensed. Last year in five games, he averaged over seven tackles a game.
Whatever he does from here to the end of the season, Elliott says that’s up to the coaches. He wants to be a leader for this defense however that looks.
“Now that I’m finally feeling good, it’s just a blessing to play ball again,” Elliott said.
Elliott’s reaction to return
Elliott’s reaction to return
