Steelers Open 21-Day Window as DeShon Elliott Returns to Practice
The team now has a short deadline to activate the veteran safety and decide whether he can bolster a secondary hampered by other injuries.
Overview
- The Steelers announced Thursday that DeShon Elliott has returned to practice and that his 21-day activation window under NFL injured-reserve rules has begun.
- If Pittsburgh does not place Elliott on the 53-man roster within 21 days his season will end and he will remain on Reserve/Injured, Designated for Return.
- Elliott was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 30 with a severe hamstring tear and a hyperextended knee and has missed the team’s first four games this season.
- Coaches describe Elliott as “getting close,” but there is no firm timetable and reporting indicates he may miss at least one more game before the club decides whether to activate him.
- Pittsburgh has leaned on veterans Rayshawn Jenkins and rookie Robert Spears-Jennings in Elliott’s absence while other back-end injuries, including Jalen Ramsey’s broken wrist and Brandin Echols’ recent concussion treatment, have increased the urgency of the activation decision.