Steelers Starting Defensive Back Injured vs. Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson walked off the field after New York Jets running back Breece Hall’s second-quarter, 57-yard reception, entered the blue medical tent, and has been ruled out by the Steelers with a shoulder injury.

James Pierre entered the contest to replace Jackson.

Hall broke a number of tackles after pulling in a check-down pass from Aaron Rodgers and was finally shoved out by Minkah Fitzpatrick at the Pittsburgh 3-yard line. The Jets extended their lead three plays later when Rodgers hit Tyler Conklin for a 1-yard air strike.

New York tacked on a 2-point conversion after a leverage penalty on Fitzpatrick, widening its advantage to two possessions.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson in a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 11, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Jackson was acquired in an off-season trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. He dealt with injuries while with Carolina and has attempted to play through an A-C sprain suffered during the Steelers’ Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jackson leads the Steelers with three interceptions. That total is also tied as the third-most in the NFL. Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney has picked off five passes, while Detroit Kerby Joseph has four.

Pierre is in his second stint as a Steelers. He was an undrafted free agent in 2020, played four seasons in Pittsburgh, then signed as a free agent with the Washington Commanders. Pierre didn’t make the final cut with Washington before returning to the Steel City.