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The Pittsburgh Steelers injury bug has already began. Plenty of teams have already suffered a few key injuries, including the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins. For the Steelers, the first major injury wasn’t announced until Monday. That was running back Alfonzo Graham, who suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder. He was competing for the third-string running back position, but is now out for the year.
Before the news was even officially announced, the Steelers had already invited multiple guys into the building for a workout. They proceeded to sign two running backs from that workout. On Tuesday, rookie cornerback Cory Trice Jr. went down with a non-contact injury at practice. It didn’t sound good, as he was carted off the field in Latrobe. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that the Steelers were working out two cornerbacks.
Who will step up in Steelers' cornerback room?
Of course, this didn’t bode well for the status of Trice. Well, the fear has come to fruition. On Wednesday, the Steelers announced that the rookie will be placed on IR, ending his first season in the NFL before it even begins. In a corresponding move, they have signed safety Trenton Thompson and cornerback Isaiah Dunn. In addition to those moves, they officially waived/injured Graham.
We have:
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 2, 2023
• Signed S Trenton Thompson & CB Isaiah Dunn
• Waived/injured RB Alfonzo Graham
• Placed CB Cory Trice Jr. on the Reserve/Injured List @BordasLawhttps://t.co/pXEaCL9FPs
It's the worst possible news for the Purdue product, Trice. Earlier this summer, the rookie seventh-rounder was impressive in OTAs. So far in Latrobe, he had picked up where he left off. Despite being selected in the seventh round, he had established himself as a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster. Now, the depth at cornerback will already be put to the test.
Dunn has appeared in 17 career NFL games, as he has spent time with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks over the past two years. He's appeared in 114 defensive snaps, all of which came with the Jets in 2021, and made two starts in the process. Dunn has also played 167 snaps on special teams in his two seasons, so he brings some value there. As of now, he will be just seen as a depth move.
As for the other signing, Thompson will be seen as the same until proven otherwise. He appeared in one game for the New York Giants in 2022, which his lone appearance in the NFL. In that game, he played 12 snaps on special teams. He had a productive career in college at San Diego State, but went undrafted last year. Just over a week ago, the Giants released Thompson.
It's the worst possible news for the Purdue product. Earlier this summer, the rookie seventh-rounder was impressive in OTAs. So far in Latrobe, he had picked up where he left off. Despite being selected in the seventh round, he had established himself as a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster. Now, the depth at cornerback will already be put to the test.
For a guy like James Pierre, the door is now open to make the Week 1 roster. He's spent the last three seasons in Pittsburgh, but it seemed like he was on the outside looking in with Trice and a few other new guys on the roster. While his tenure has come with mixed results, Pierre knows the defense and has become a core special teamer. Another defensive back like Elijah Riley, who can play both safety and corner, has been impressive in Latrobe thus far and this only helps his Week 1 status as well.
How big of a loss is Trice for the depth in the cornerback room? Does this mean Pierre (or someone else) will end up making the 53-man roster now? Do you expect anything from either of the two defensive back signings?
More must-reads:
- Five of the most exciting NFL prime-time games in 2024
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- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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