The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially activated veteran safety DeShon Elliott ahead of their Week 7 international matchup against the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France in Paris. Elliott’s return to the 53-man roster provides a much-needed boost to a secondary that is missing key personnel for the high-profile European contest.
Elliott, who is in his third season with the Steelers, was activated after returning to practice on Oct. 8. The team faced a 21-day window to either move him to the active roster or leave him on the Reserve/Injured list for the remainder of the season. He has been sidelined since Aug. 30. Across 77 career games, Elliott has been a productive force, recording 429 tackles, five interceptions, and four and a half sacks. His 2025 season was notably short, appearing in only five games before an injury ended his year, making his return on Sunday a significant personal and professional milestone.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy praised the veteran’s resilience during his recovery process. “DeShon Elliott, he’s one of our leaders, number one,” McCarthy said. “Just to watch him fight back from this injury—he’s definitely someone you root for. It’s been a real milestone for him to get to this point.”
While Elliott returns, the Pittsburgh defense faces a fresh setback on the defensive line. The team placed veteran defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day on the Reserve/Injured list this past week. Joseph-Day, who signed as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason, had recorded 10 tackles and a fumble recovery in six games this season. His absence leaves a void in a unit that is already missing lineman Derrick Harmon.
In Joseph-Day’s absence, the Steelers will turn to youth. Rookie Gabriel Rubio is expected to take on a larger role, while Kevin Jobity Jr. is slated to make his NFL debut in Paris. McCarthy expressed confidence in the team’s depth, noting that the development of young players since the spring is specifically intended for late-season scenarios. Rubio described the situation as a “next man up” opportunity, citing the resilient character of the defensive group.
On the offensive side, the Steelers are managing a thin receiving corps. With Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. already on the Reserve/Injured list, the team enters the game without Ben Skowronek, who was ruled inactive alongside defensive back Brandin Echols. To compensate, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to continue leaning on rookie Germie Bernard. Bernard caught his first NFL touchdown against the Buccaneers and has become a trusted target in key moments, recording 11 receptions for 87 yards this season.
To shore up depth, the Steelers elevated wide receiver Brandon Johnson and Brandon Smith from the practice squad. Johnson brings 23 games of NFL experience, including 26 career receptions and five touchdowns. Smith, who has spent time with several NFL franchises and the D.C. Defenders of the UFL, is being elevated for his third consecutive week. This combination of returning veterans and fresh elevations will define the Steelers’ rotation as they attempt to secure a victory in the first-ever Paris regular-season game.
