Jabrill Peppers signed with the Steelers, adding veteran versatility to Pittsburgh’s secondary as DeShon Elliott nurses a sprained MCL. Elliott’s expected absence could push Peppers into a larger role early, with Sebastian Castro perhaps blocked on the practice squad. The move also spotlights Jalen Ramsey’s potential cross-training but acknowledges Pittsburgh’s cornerback depth is thin enough to complicate any immediate safety swap.

Bottom line: Peppers gives the Steelers a versatile man in the back end, increases safety depth behind Chuck Clark, and could shape how Pittsburgh aligns its DBs during Elliott’s absence and beyond the Week Four bye. Ramsey’s fits and the defense’s nickel plans will be watched closely as the year unfolds.

T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey anchored Pittsburgh’s Week 1 defense, delivering elite PFF marks as the unit navigated injuries and still beat the Jets. Watt led the way at 82.4, with Ramsey close behind at 79.4, pairing edge pressure with tight coverage to highlight the day’s brightest defensive performances.

The top-10 on defense also featured Daniel Ekuale, DeShon Elliott, Patrick Queen, Cameron Heyward, Brandin Echols, Malik Harrison, Chuck Clark, and Juan Thornhill, who all chipped in with crucial stops and fits. Week 2 vs. Seattle looms, making health the biggest variable for sustaining pressure and limiting big plays in a tighter matchup.

Fantasy takeaway: Watt remains a high-floor star; Thornhill and Ramsey offer steady safety floors; Echols and Clark could be viable DB plays if others deteriorate. Depth players will be tested as Pittsburgh leans on its stars to carry the unit through injuries.

DeShon Elliott's knee injury in Week 1 vs. New York Jets leaves Pittsburgh with a thinner safety room as the Steelers lean on Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark to lead the back end. Jalen Ramsey may slide between corner and safety, with Brandin Echols stepping into a larger role if needed. Rookie Derrick Harmon and Nick Herbig were sidelined, forcing creative package adjustments and a likely shift in coverage schemes early in the season.

Fantasy and betting angles hinge on how Pittsburgh reshapes its safety pairings. Thornhill’s workload could rise, Ramsey’s versatility becomes even more valuable, and Echols’ snap count could surge in coverage alignments. The Steelers need to stay aggressive, but depth will be tested as Elliott’s absence narrows the safety closet and invites tactical tweaks from the coaching staff.

Six NFL practice squads are taking shape after the 53-man cuts, with a slate of players connected to local roots landing on rosters’ perimeters. Jalyn Holmes returns to Washington’s practice squad after a Lake Taylor High/Ohio State background, Antwaun Powell-Ryland lands with Philadelphia, LaMareon James joins Cleveland, and Cole Christiansen signs with Kansas City. Rick Lovato signs with Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh brings Chuck Clark back to the active roster. These depth moves carry potential late-season impact and special-teams value for fantasy managers tracking rosters closely.

Local ties aren’t the only thread here; the Cowboys’ and Browns’ practice squads highlight how teams preserve veteran depth and development-projection in a volatile cap environment. For fantasy, the key takeaway is depth-chart instability at multiple positions, meaning sleepers on practice squads could ascend if promoted, while immediate Week 1 value remains limited for most.

The Steelers shore up safety depth by re-signing Chuck Clark and Max Scharping, while placing Will Howard and Donte Kent on short-term IR. The moves come as Pittsburgh stacks experience behind DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill, and after Minkah Fitzpatrick’s trade-era absences. Clark’s return adds veteran versatility, while Scharping strengthens the interior line to support the run game and protect the young quarterback lineup.