The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, a key AFC North matchup at Acrisure Stadium.
The team will be without defensive backs Brandin Echols and Doneiko Slaughter who missed practice this week and have been ruled out.
Receiver Ben Skowronek is questionable, after he was limited all week with his calf injury.
Two players who are expected to step up again this week are rookie defensive linemen Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity Jr.
With fellow defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day and Derrick Harmon on the Reserve/Injured List, they have been asked to do their 1/11th for the team.
And they have done just that, with Jobity seeing his first NFL action against the Saints.
Jobity saw his first NFL action last week against the Saints in Paris and drew strong reviews. Rubio also has impressed his coaches over the last few weeks when he has stepped in.
"I was excited about Jobity making that play on special teams," said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. "That guy is fired up. We always talk about kickoff as P-and-10 for the first play of possession for the defense, and for him to go out there and help us get that field position, that was a real positive right there. That was good to see.
"Gabe comes as advertised: Stout versus the run, plays with his hands, hustles his butt off in terms of getting to the quarterback when he can.
"They work really hard. They're listening to the vets. I always tell the young players, it's your job to earn the trust of the vets because you haven't won. Especially when you're a rookie. You haven't played in the NFL.
"How do you do that? By being consistent, working hard. Not being quiet, but just making sure you're listening."
While the defensive line lost a few key pieces as of late, the secondary benefited by the return of safety DeShon Elliott against the Saints.
Elliott missed the majority of the 2025 season, appearing in just five games before he was placed on the Reserve/Injured List. He saw his first action of the 2026 season against the Saints in Paris.
"Happy to see him out there," said Graham. "Great energy on the sideline. My first time to be around him playing. It was fun to see him out there.
"The communication stood out, the disguise element, the physicality, that all stood out. It was fun to see him play."
Graham isn't the only one who felt that way. Elliott's teammates were happy to have him back, but nobody was happier than Elliott himself.
"Felt good," said Elliott of being back. "I'm just happy I'm healthy. Felt good. Stacking days."
Elliott played 19 total snaps against the Saints, 33% of the defensive snaps, and three snaps on special teams.
He was asked if he is hoping for more snaps this week.
"That's not a question for me," said Elliott. "I'm just happy I'm healthy. I'm going to play wherever they need me, when they need me to play, whatever role that's going to be."
His workload for this week against the Browns hasn't been determined yet.
"He looks good," said Coach Mike McCarthy. "The most important part for him was to get him back out there, get him acclimated, get him back into game speed. Everything's been positive.
"The week preparation will answer all those questions (about his usage.)"
Could he play a full game this week against the Browns if needed?
"I got my feet up under me last week," said Elliott. "Played 20 something snaps. Felt good. My role was whatever they wanted me to play."
Another player who has given the secondary a boost is safety Jaquan Brisker. With all of the injuries in the secondary, Brisker hasn't missed a step.
"We talk about availability is the most important ability," said Coach Mike McCarthy. "You see him more and more comfortable with what we're asking him to do, and I think some of the calls reflect that.
"He has big play ability too. He's been steady.
"The communication throughout our whole defense is getting better each and every week. Really starting inside with P.Q. (Patrick Queen).
"I hope he keeps it keeps it up."
The full participation and status report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 8
Game Status
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Calf) - Questionable
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring) - Out
No. 40 DB Doneiko Slaughter (Hamstring) - Out
Friday, October 30
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Wrist) - FP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Calf) - LP
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 40 DB Doneiko Slaughter (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - FP
No. 80 TE Darnell Washington (NIR/Rest) - FP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR/Rest) - FP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR/Rest) - FP
Thursday, October 29
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Wrist) - FP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Calf) - LP
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 40 DB Doneiko Slaughter (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - LP
No. 80 TE Darnell Washington (NIR/Rest) - FP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR/Rest) - FP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR/Rest) - FP
Wednesday, October 28
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Wrist) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Calf) - LP
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 40 DB Doneiko Slaughter (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - LP
No. 80 TE Darnell Washington (NIR/Rest) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR/Rest) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR/Rest) - DNP
Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 8
Game Status
No. 24 S Daniel Thomas (Ankle) - Questionable
No. 26 CB Myles Harden (Hamstring) - Questionable
No. 71 OT Tytus Howard (Concussion) - Questionable
Friday, October 30
No. 8 DE Jared Verse (Knee) - FP
No. 9 S Grant Delpit (Neck) - FP
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Knee) - FP
No. 24 S Daniel Thomas (Ankle) - LP
No. 26 CB Myles Harden (Hamstring) - LP
No. 49 LB Carson Schwesinger (Ankle) - FP
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Ankle) - FP
No. 71 OT Tytus Howard (Concussion) - DNP
No. 74 C Elgton Jenkins (Knee) - FP
No. 94 DT Mason Graham (Ankle) - LP
Thursday, October 29
No. 8 DE Jared Verse (Knee) - LP
No. 9 S Grant Delpit (Neck) - LP
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Knee) - FP
No. 24 S Daniel Thomas (Ankle) - LP
No. 26 CB Myles Harden (Hamstring) - LP
No. 49 LB Carson Schwesinger (Ankle) - LP
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Ankle) - LP
No. 71 OT Tytus Howard (Concussion) - DNP
No. 74 C Elgton Jenkins (Knee) - LP
No. 94 DT Mason Graham (Ankle) - LP
Wednesday, October 28
No. 8 DE Jared Verse (Knee) - DNP
No. 9 S Grant Delpit (Neck) - LP
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Knee) - LP
No. 24 S Daniel Thomas (Ankle) - LP
No. 26 CB Myles Harden (Hamstring) - LP
No. 49 LB Carson Schwesinger (Ankle) - LP
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Ankle) - LP
No. 71 OT Tytus Howard (Concussion) - DNP
No. 74 C Elgton Jenkins (Knee) - DNP
No. 94 DT Mason Graham (Ankle) - LP
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