The Steelers go into today's game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium down a few good men on defense.
Safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon are inactive. Elliott suffered a knee injury against the New York Jets last week, Porter suffered a hamstring injury against the Jets, while Harmon was injured in the Steelers preseason finale.
With Elliott out, the Steelers signed safety Jabrill Peppers this week.
"You're talking about a nine-year veteran who's a high-pedigree guy," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin of Peppers. "He's physical, tough, a good tackler, and getting to know him in the last couple days, our guys think he's got a good football IQ in the sense of what's going on around him.
"A lot of times it's just putting it into their own terminology so they can function faster. So, we like those things about him, and we'll see how far it takes us this week."
Peppers appeared in 99 games, starting 85 in his career. He has 494 career tackles, 322 of them solo stops, 35 passes defensed, 30 tackles for a loss, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
What his role will be is still something he is learning, but he is ready for whatever is asked of him.
"Obviously, on (special) teams, but it's basically on me how fast I can pick up the defense," said Peppers. "That's just on me to be a professional, getting the playbook, try to pick it up as fast as I can so I can get out there and try to help this ball club with some football games.
"I think it's a great fit, it's just little different things than I'm used to doing. So just got to lock in on the details, get out there a little bit more, shake the rust off. But I should be all right."
Fellow safety Juan Thornhill was already familiar with Peppers, but likes what he has seen up close and personal.
"He fits in well," said Thornhill. "He's a hitter, a smart guy. He's picking up on the defense well.
"Sometimes it takes guys a week or something to adjust, but it doesn't even seem like it's going to take that long. It seems like he just knows what he's doing already.
"He's going fit in pretty well and help us out."
Last week safety Chuck Clark and cornerback Brandin Echols stepped to the plate when Elliott and Joey Porter Jr. were injured in game.
Expect depth to play in the Steelers favor again this week.
"It's great," said cornerback Darrius Slay. "I'd say it's never enough. It's great to have enough bodies because this game is physical. We know what we signed up for it. We pray that anybody playing this game doesn't get hurt. But of course, this game comes with injuries. So of course we got some.
"Thankfully we've got guys that can step up and play and get at this."
Thornhill doesn't think communication will be an issue, especially if Clark needs to step in as they worked together closely during training camp.
"I feel like the communication is great, but a guy like Chuck, he's a smart guy," said Thornhill. "He's beating me to some of the communications, which makes things so much easier."
The Steelers also elevated linebacker Jon Rhattigan from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster. Rhattigan is in his fifth season in the NFL and has appeared in 52 games. He has 44 career tackles, 20 of them solo stops, and one fumble recovery.
The full list of inactives is below
Steelers Inactives
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr.
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott
No. 64 G Max Scharping
No. 71 G Andrus Peat
No. 93 DE Esezi Otomewo
No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon
Seahawks Inactives
No. 3 S Nick Emmanwori
No. 6 QB Jakeb Milroe (3rd QB)
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon
No. 51 LB Jared Ivey
No. 57 LB Connor O'Toole
No. 78 T/G Mason Richman
No. 89 TE Nick Kallerup
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