Steelers Outline Replacement Plan For DeShon Elliott
Mike Tomlin doesn’t intend on replacing injured SS DeShon Elliott with one man. It’ll take multiple people to fill his shoes. On the latest version of his Mike Tomlin Show, he outlined how the team will replace Elliott for the foreseeable future.
“It’s gonna be a multi-person job, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin told host Bob Pompeani. “DeShon has been a significant component of what we do. Not only this year, but last year as well. He’s rock solid as a down safety versus the run. He has been really good at tight end coverage and so we certainly got some adjustments ahead of us this week to minimize his absence.
“But usually when you’re missing a guy like that, it’s not one man. It is multiple people and I think you’ll feel that this week when you watch us play. How we’ll divvy his workload up among several candidates.”
Tomlin’s show is recorded on Tuesday’s, meaning his comments came before the team struck a deal to land veteran safety Kyle Dugger. He’ll be one of several given the chance to replace Elliott. Dugger offers a similar skillset as a physical downhill player with the size to take on tight ends Elliott is often asked to cover. Pittsburgh has been among the NFL’s worst at covering the position, ranking bottom-third in every major statistical category.
Other names Pittsburgh could lean on include Jabrill Peppers and Chuck Clark. However, both have been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Peppers injured his quad during practice while Clark is sidelined with an illness. Declining to elevate a safety like Darrick Forrest and instead promoting two running backs, Pittsburgh has just two true safeties on the 53-man roster: Juan Thornhill and Dugger.
Jalen Ramsey could see increased safety reps. This season, he’s logged 48 snaps there this season. All but one have come out of the teams’ 3-4 groupings against heavy run personnel.
Elliott suffered a serious knee injury in Week 8’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Pittsburgh placed him on injured reserve Friday. During his Tuesday presser, Tomlin deemed Elliott week-to-week but media reports suggests it’s doubtful he’ll return before the regular season ends.
BREAKING: “You Don’t Act Like That in My Locker Room!” — Cameron Heyward’s Explosive Message Shakes Commanders Facility
The Washington Commanders’ practice facility erupted in tension Thursday morning after a heated confrontation between star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward and a rookie teammate — a moment that stunned the locker room and underscored the Commanders’ demand for accountability under head coach Mike Tomlin.
According to multiple team sources, the incident began when a first-year player showed up late to practice after spending the previous night out partying. What could have been a minor disciplinary issue quickly escalated when Heyward — one of the most respected voices in the locker room — confronted the rookie head-on in front of the team, delivering a passionate message that left the room silent.
“You think this is college? You show up late because you partied last night? That’s not football — that’s disrespect,” Heyward reportedly barked. “I don’t care who you are — this team bleeds for each other. You don’t act like that in my locker room.”
Players described the scene as “intense and emotional.” One veteran told ESPN, “Cameron doesn’t raise his voice often, but when he does, everyone listens. He’s not calling you out to humiliate you — he’s doing it to wake you up.”
Heyward’s fiery words came after weeks of frustration from team leaders who felt that some younger players were losing focus amid the Commanders’ strong start to the season. As the team prepares for a playoff push, maintaining discipline has become a top priority — and Heyward made it clear that standards come before egos.
Head coach Mike Tomlin later addressed the situation, reportedly backing Heyward’s stance. “We have a culture of accountability here,” Tomlin said during his press conference. “If you want to wear the burgundy and gold, you do things the right way — every single day.”
Inside the locker room, Heyward’s outburst resonated deeply. As one assistant coach put it, “Cameron sets the tone — not just with his play, but with his preparation. He’s the kind of leader who doesn’t need to talk much, but when he does, it changes the temperature in the room.”
The rookie later issued a formal apology to the team, acknowledging that his actions didn’t reflect the Commanders’ standard of professionalism. But the moment will likely stick as a defining one for the locker room — a reminder that the Commanders’ resurgence is built on discipline and unity.
For Heyward, the message was simple: the Commanders’ identity is forged in hard work, not excuses. His outburst wasn’t about anger — it was about protecting a culture he helped build.
As Washington turns its focus toward Week 9, one thing is clear: the Commanders are not just playing for wins — they’re playing for accountability. And Cameron Heyward made sure everyone knows what that means.
