Steelers Get Major Injury Boost in the Secondary

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their full secondary in good health for their Wild Card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, as cornerback Donte Jackson announced on Thursday that he is good to go to return from injury this week.

Jackson has been dealing with a pinched nerve in his back that has been bothering him since Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns. Since then, he’s missed two game and been limited in two others with the persistently reoccurring issue.

Jackson first suffered the injury against the Browns in Week 14, and he was eventually able to return to that game. 

He started the next week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but aggravated the injury for a second time in that contest and was unable to finish. He then was held out in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens before returning on Christmas Day against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jackson was able to finish that game, but did not look 100%, giving up a long completing to receiver Justin Watson early in the contest.

In the week of practice following that game, Jackson once again had his back injury flare up and he was held out of the regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals as a result.

Jackson was listed as a full participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and told Nick Farabugh of PennLive that he’s good to go after practice on Thursday.

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Donte Jackson just said his back feels great and he’s playing this weekend.

Steelers will have both starting cornerbacks.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 9, 2025

With Jackson out, and Joey Porter Jr. also missing time recently with a knee injury, both James Pierre and Cory Trice Jr. have made starts for the team.The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their full secondary in good health for their Wild Card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, as cornerback Donte Jackson announced on Thursday that he is good to go.

Jackson has been dealing with a pinched nerve in his back that has been bothering him since Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns. Since then, he’s missed two game and been limited in two others with the persistently reoccurring issue.

Jackson first suffered the injury against the Browns in Week 14, and he was eventually able to return to that game. 

He started the next week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but aggravated the injury for a second time in that contest and was unable to finish. He then was held out in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens before returning on Christmas Day against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jackson was able to finish that game, but did not look 100%, giving up a long completing to receiver Justin Watson early in the contest.

In the week of practice following that game, Jackson once again had his back injury flare up and he was held out of the regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals as a result.

Jackson was listed as a full participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and told Nick Farabugh of PennLive that he’s good to go after practice on Thursday.

See more

Donte Jackson just said his back feels great and he’s playing this weekend.

Steelers will have both starting cornerbacks.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 9, 2025

With Jackson out, and Joey Porter Jr. also missing time recently with a knee injury, both James Pierre and Cory Trice Jr. have made starts for the team.

The last time the Steelers played the Ravens, they were without Jackson, lost Porter mid-game, played without strong safety Donte Jackson, and Minkah Fitzpatrick was playing out of position. Now, they’ll have their full complement of defensive backs for Saturday.