The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium.
It comes as no surprise that safety DeShon Elliott and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon have both been ruled out, as Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that would be the case earlier this week. In addition, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has also been ruled out. Porter suffered a hamstring injury against the Jets and didn't practice all week.
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."
Peppers has made a strong impression on his teammates from the get-go.
"He's 100 percent go," said cornerback Darrius Slay. "I think if we could tackle each other in practice, he would.
"But it's a great addition. I've been watching his tape from afar. I watched him in college when he was at Michigan, because I was in Detroit for so long. But a good dude, real good dude, real solid dude, works hard.
"Now, seeing him in person and action as in working with him, great teammate. I'm just looking forward to seeing how they use him, because he's very versatile as well. So, it'll be a great addition."
Slay said Peppers has picked up the defense fast, something that doesn't surprise him.
"He's a veteran," said Slay. "He made a lot of calls just off the jump. No thinking. No second guessing it. You can tell he's a professional. He's a pro. The fact that he's coming in and learning the defense as well as he can, as fast as he can, you know anything's possible.
"We trust and believe that he'd be ready to go if he is called upon."
Another player with versatility the secondary benefits from is cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey can be moved all around in the secondary, and with the injuries they are dealing with, it's a huge benefit.
"He's the Charles Woodson of our generation right now for sure," said cornerback Darrius Slay, referring to the Pro Football Hall of Famer. "(Jalen) is a guy who is very versatile and can play either position at a high level. That's the type of player you want on your team. Not a lot of guys can have that on their team."
Linebacker Alex Highsmith was added to the injury report with an ankle injury and he was limited in practice. He isn't on the status report, though.
The full practice and status report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Game Status
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - Out
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Knee) - Out
No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon (Knee) - Out
Friday, September 12
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Knee) - DNP
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Limited
No. 67 OL Calvin Anderson (Illness) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon (Knee) - DNP
Thursday, September 11
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Knee) - DNP
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Full
No. 67 OL Calvin Anderson (Illness) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon (Knee) - DNP
Wednesday, September 10
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Knee) - DNP
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 67 OL Calvin Anderson (Illness) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon (Knee) - DNP
Seattle Seahawks Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Game Status
No. 3 S Nick Emmanwori (Ankle) - Out
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Knee) - Doubtful
Friday, September 12
No. 19 WR Jake Bobo (Concussion) - Full
No. 3 S Nick Emmanwori (Ankle) - DNP
No. 13 LB Ernest Jones (Shoulder) - Full
No. 20 S Julian Love (Groin) - Limited
No. 7 LB Uchenna Nwosu (Knee) - Full
No. 90 DT Jarran Reed (Back) - Full
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Knee) - DNP
No. 83 WR Dareke Young (Hamstring) - Full
Thursday, September 11
No. 19 WR Jake Bobo (Concussion) - Full
No. 3 S Nick Emmanwori (Ankle) - DNP
No. 13 LB Ernest Jones (Shoulder) - Full
No. 20 S Julian Love (Groin) - DNP
No. 7 LB Uchenna Nwosu (Knee) - Full
No. 90 DT Jarran Reed (Back) - DNP
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Knee) - DNP
No. 83 WR Dareke Young (Hamstring) - Full
Wednesday, September 10
No. 19 WR Jake Bobo (Concussion) - Full
No. 3 S Nick Emmanwori (Ankle) - DNP
No. 13 LB Ernest Jones (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 20 S Julian Love (Groin) - Limited
No. 7 LB Uchenna Nwosu (Knee) - Full
No. 90 DT Jarran Reed (Back) - Limited
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Knee) - DNP
No. 83 WR Dareke Young (Hamstring) - Limited
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