Steelers Lose DeShon Elliott for Season After Knee Surgery, Sign Jabrill Peppers Ahead of Seahawks Clash
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the New York Jets came at a steep price. Starting safety DeShon Elliott has been ruled out for the season after suffering a knee injury that requires surgery.
Elliott exited the opener in the first half, and though he walked off under his own power, the medical evaluation delivered devastating news. The veteran safety’s 2025 campaign is officially over before it truly began.
Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the loss in a Tuesday press conference, calling it one of the toughest blows the team has faced this early in the year.
“This is a tough day for our team and for DeShon,” Tomlin said. “Losing him to a knee injury that requires surgery is heartbreaking, especially knowing how hard he worked to be ready for this season. But we moved quickly to bring in Jabrill Peppers, and having him on board right before facing the Seahawks gives us the stability we need. We’ll support DeShon every step of his recovery, and I know Steelers Nation will rally behind him just as they always do.”
The Steelers wasted no time filling the void, signing former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers to a contract. A one-time Pro Bowler and former first-round pick, Peppers brings more than 500 career tackles and proven versatility to Pittsburgh’s secondary.
Elliott had emerged as a cornerstone for the Steelers’ defense, earning a two-year, $12.5 million contract this offseason after becoming the steady presence needed following Minkah Fitzpatrick’s departure. His absence leaves a major leadership gap.
Peppers is expected to step in immediately, providing experience alongside younger safeties as Pittsburgh prepares for its home opener against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. His ability to play both strong and free safety makes him a natural fit.
For Elliott, the focus shifts to rehabilitation, while the Steelers turn their attention to keeping pace in a competitive AFC. The signing of Peppers ensures stability, but the emotional void left by Elliott’s injury will linger throughout 2025.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud Demands Urgency After Rams Beatdown
Immediately following the Houston Texans' 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t hold back when describing his team’s preparation leading up to the Week 1 tilt.
“We didn’t deserve to win that game, because we didn’t do the right things.” Stroud told the media.“When you come out in the NFL, lollygagging and going through the motions, that kind of happens. I think we’ll be all right, but I think it’s a good wake-up call for us.”
Houston mustered just 265 yards of offense and was two-of-nine on third-down attempts in the loss. The unit also turned the ball over twice – including a fumble by running back Dare Qgunbowale late in the fourth quarter – and was flagged for seven of the team’s 11 penalties.
“We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot consistently and expect to win. And that starts with me, with a lot of different things. I got to get rid of the ball better and use my legs maybe a little more.”
Stroud finished 19-of-27 for 188 yards through the air with an interception and rushed for 32 yards on five carries. He was also sacked three times on Sunday.
DeMeco Ryans responds to potentially controversial comments by C.J. Stroud
Tuesday, ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked about Stroud’s ‘lollygagging’ comment and essentially shrugged it off.
“It’s never an entire group,” Ryans said. “That’s the one thing about it. So, there are individuals that have their moments throughout the week. And the lollygagging, it’s a term everybody wants to use now. For me, it’s just our tempo in and out of the huddle.
We've got to get in and out of the huddle quicker, so we can get to the line of scrimmage, so we can operate and make sure we've got checks, and things you have to make at the line of scrimmage.
Well, to make those checks in a proper manner, we've got to get out with some urgency. The urgency piece from everybody has to pick up from the offensive side of the ball. Once the urgency picks up, we'll be able to operate cleaner when it comes to pre-snap and post-snap."
Houston’s offense has an extra-long week to prepare for its Week 2 contest. The Texans return home to face the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. Tampa Bay is coming off a dramatic 23-20 road win over the Atlanta Falcons.
