Steelers Lose Second Safety Before Colts Game
An already-banged up Pittsburgh Steelers safety group will be down another member when the team takes on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
A day after popping up as a surprise entrant on the Steelers' injury report with a quadricep injury, which rendered him a limited participant, Jabrill Peppers was not on the practice field at all to close out the week.
As a result, he was listed as out against the Colts at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers' Other Safety Injuries
DeShon Elliott was placed on the reserve/injured list this week with a knee injury he suffered vs. the Green Bay Packers during Week 8, meaning he'll miss the next four games at an absolute minimum and won't be eligible to be activated until Week 13 at the earliest.
Elliott is the top dog among Pittsburgh's safeties, and his absence will continue to be felt for as long as he's sidelined.
Kyle Dugger, who the Steelers acquired from the New England Patriots via trade earlier this week, has also battling through a knee injury. He's been a full participant since arriving to Pittsburgh, though, and did not receive a game designation.
Peppers' Time With Steelers
After Elliott sustained his first injury of the season vs. the New York Jets in Week 1, which was eventually diagnosed as an MCL sprain, the Steelers quickly signed Peppers after he had been let go by the New England Patriots at final roster cuts.
Peppers logged 43 defensive snaps vs. the Patriots in Week 3, but he was on the field for only 10 reps on that side of the ball through Week 7, according to Pro Football Focus. When Pittsburgh took on the Packers last week, however, he recorded 13 snaps on defense once Elliott went down.
All in all, Peppers has recorded eight tackles and a fumble recovery across six contests as a member of the Steelers up to this point.
What Could Steelers' Safety Rotation Look Like Without Peppers?
With Elliott and Peppers out, the Steelers could have just three safeties active against a potent Colts offense that leads the league in yards (385.3) and points (33.8) per game.
Dugger was a versatile chess piece for New England's defense during his five seasons there, so Pittsburgh could get creative in how it uses him. With that being said, though, he's primarily played in the box and at free safety over the past handful of years and is entering his first game in a new system.
Chuck Clark and Juan Thornhill could also play huge roles for Pittsburgh. Clark emerged as Pittsburgh's top option next to Elliott at free safety over the last two weeks, playing a total of 102 defensive snaps over that stretch.
As for Thornhill, he has seen the field for 63 percent of the team's defensive reps on the year, per Pro Football Reference, so the team should feel somewhat comfortable with him on the field at an increased rate this week if it comes down to it.
Steelers Rookie Benched for Disciplinary Violation — Hasn’t Played a Single Snap After Mike Tomlin’s Tough Message on Standards
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ seventh-round rookie wide receiver has yet to see the field this season — and head coach Mike Tomlin just made it clear why.
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Despite impressing during offseason workouts with his speed and versatility, the young wideout has remained on the practice squad since Week 1, with Tomlin citing discipline and execution as the main reasons behind the decision.
“HE'S GOT THE TALENT, NO QUESTION. BUT IN PITTSBURGH, EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING. HE MISSED READS, BLEW ASSIGNMENTS, AND DIDN'T MASTER THE DETAILS. AROUND HERE, YOU DON'T EARN SNAPS WITH POTENTIAL — YOU EARN THEM BY PLAYING THE STEELERS WAY.”
The rookie in question is Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick (No. 252 overall) from Montana, who signed a four-year rookie contract shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen flashed promise as a slot receiver and return specialist during training camp, drawing early comparisons to former Steelers gadget players known for their versatility and intelligence.
However, insiders from the team’s practice sessions revealed that Bergen struggled to learn route progressions, execute assignments precisely, and adjust to the pace and complexity of Tomlin’s offense — a system renowned for demanding timing, precision, and mental sharpness.
The Steelers waived Bergen on August 26, 2025, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the following day — a move Tomlin described as part of the development process rather than a punishment.
“He’s learning,” Tomlin said. “But at this level, talent isn’t enough. You have to prove every day that you understand your job and that your teammates can trust you to execute it.”
Bergen has since worked closely with receivers coach Frisman Jackson, focusing on improving his route discipline and timing. Despite being benched from active play, team sources say the 23-year-old has shown steady progress and remains a long-term project for the Steelers’ offense.
Still, Tomlin’s message was unmistakable: in Pittsburgh, consistency and preparation are non-negotiable. “This organization is built on accountability,” he said. “Every player here — whether it’s a Pro Bowler or a rookie — is expected to uphold that standard. Until you do, you sit.”
For Junior Bergen, the lesson is clear. The path back to the field won’t come from talent alone — it will come from mastering the details and earning the right to play the
