The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Minkah Fitzpatrick over the offseason, which was a big hit to their run defense. They’d hoped having DeShon Elliott, who was terrific in his first year as a Steeler and earned a contract extension this offseason, would help fill that void.
Then, Elliott suffered a knee injury that’s keeping him out a few weeks. He hopes to be back for Week 4, but the defense really missed him in their loss to the Seahawks, and may miss him again in their matchup with the Patriots on Sunday. Steelers insider Missi Matthews thinks his absence could be part of the reason for the defense’s woes.