Steelers Bolster Roster with Two Defensive Additions, Place Two Players on Injured List

The Pittsburgh Steelers continued reshaping their roster with several notable moves this week. The team signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers to a one-year contract.

Peppers enters his ninth NFL season with nearly a decade of production across three franchises. He has appeared in 99 career games, starting 85, while recording 494 total tackles, 35 passes defensed, 30 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, and six forced fumbles. His experience and versatility provide a valuable boost to Pittsburgh’s secondary.

Most recently with the New England Patriots, Peppers played in 38 games across three seasons. He delivered 178 tackles, 107 of them solo, along with 10 passes defensed and nine tackles for loss. Before New England, Peppers spent three years with the New York Giants after being traded from Cleveland, starting 30 games.

Peppers began his NFL career as a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He immediately became a starter, playing 29 games in two seasons and recording 137 tackles. At Michigan, he starred in 27 collegiate games, making 123 tackles and earning All-American honors as well as recognition as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

The Steelers also promoted cornerback James Pierre to the 53-man roster. Pierre is in his second stint with the franchise after joining as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He has appeared in 81 games during his career, recording 71 tackles, three interceptions, and a forced fumble while contributing heavily on special teams.

Pierre re-signed with Pittsburgh in 2024 after a brief stop with Washington. He played in 15 games last season, starting two, and recorded 12 tackles along with one interception against Cleveland in Week 14. His familiarity with the defense and special teams makes him a trusted option for the active roster.

Injury setbacks created the need for these moves. Linebacker Malik Harrison and quarterback Skyler Thompson were both placed on injured reserve, opening roster space for the new additions. Harrison was expected to contribute on defense, while Thompson served as depth at quarterback, leaving Pittsburgh to adjust quickly before Week 2.

The Steelers also turned to Logan Woodside for quarterback insurance, signing him to the practice squad. Woodside was originally drafted by Cincinnati in 2018 and has played in 13 NFL games, mostly with the Tennessee Titans. He brings experience as a backup and a steady presence for practice preparation.

Woodside played college football at Toledo, where he appeared in 43 games and posted impressive numbers with 10,514 passing yards and 93 touchdowns. His background provides Pittsburgh with a reliable option behind their primary quarterbacks as the team navigates early-season injuries and roster uncertainty.

These adjustments show the Steelers’ commitment to balancing veteran leadership with reliable depth. Adding Peppers and Pierre strengthens the secondary, while Woodside offers stability at quarterback. Despite losing Harrison and Thompson to injured reserve, Pittsburgh continues to bolster its roster with versatile players who can contribute immediately.