IR Return for Steelers CB Cory Trice Still TBD as Deadline Nears

PITTSBURGH — As his deadline to return Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr., from the injured reserve list nears, head coach Mike Tomlin is still uncertain if he’ll be able to play this week.

Trice has been out since suffering a hamstring injury while covering a punt against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 22. He opened his 21-day practice window to return to work on Nov. 14, meaning he has to be elevated from the injured reserve list by Thursday, or he will be forced to miss the rest of the season.

Trice had been a full participant in practice ahead of the Steelers’ Week 12 game against the Cleveland Browns and in the Wednesday session last week. But Trice was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday last week before being ruled out of the team’s Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

That means Trice will have just one more practice on Wednesday to prove his readiness before the team must make a decision about whether or not to activate him.

Tomlin left Trice’s status up in the air when he ran down the team’s injuries during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

“We’ve got some other guys that might position themselves for the consideration as well,” Tomlin said. “Cory Trice, Mont Adams.”

The team’s seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Purdue, Trice missed his entire rookie season with an ACL injury. He played in just three games this year before his hamstring injury set him back once again. James Pierre has been serving as the team’s top punt gunner and No. 3 outside cornerback with Trice on the IR.

The Steelers will need to clear a slot on their 53-man active roster if they wish to activate Trice this week.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT

STEELERS INJURED RESERVE