Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon hasn't had the season many expected. Signed to a two-year, $8 million extension in the off-season, he was expected to be the team's No. 1 corner in 2022. That hasn't happened, as injuries and poor performances have dropped him in the pecking order. Thankfully for defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace have stepped up in a big way at cornerback, specifically over the past month or so.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerbacks, Levi Wallace and Arthur Maulet have stepped up in a big way over the past few weeks. Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Witherspoon has played just once since the team's Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He's dealt with an ongoing hamstring injury, coming back for Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles only to get injured again. After missing a few games, the team finally opted to place him on the IR. Ahead of Week 17, Witherspoon has just two more potential games to return for.
Steelers have opened the practice window for CB Ahkello Witherspoon, who's been on IR with a hamstring injury.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 28, 2022
The veteran corner returned to practice on Wednesday according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. As a result, his 21-day window has now opened. That means the Steelers must activate Witherspoon off the IR in the next three weeks in order to use him again this season. Of course, there's just two weeks left in the regular season. The black and gold's playoff odds remain quite slim, so he would need to be activated in the next week or so in order to be used again in 2022.
Witherspoon has played in just four total games in 2022, starting each of those contests. The six-year corner, who has started 40 games in his career, impressed coaches at the end of the 2021 season. That resulted in his contract extension, but he hasn't even been able to live up to that hype. Even when he's been healthy, Witherspoon has struggled.
On the contrary, there still has yet to be any update on fellow corner, William Jackson III. Acquired just before the trade deadline in early November, he's dealt with a nagging back injury all season with the Washington Commanders. That issue seemingly didn't get much better when he came to Pittsburgh, as he has still yet to appear in a game. Like Witherspoon, he's on the IR.
After an impressive end to 2021, Steelers CB Ahkello Witherspoon has played just four games in 2022. Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Some were confident that Jackson would indeed return before the end of the season, but that seems unlikely at this point, despite rumors that he's healthy now. Unlike Witherspoon, he's yet to even return to practice. The Steelers can either cut him in the off-season for virtually no cost, or give him a chance in 2023. At this point, it seems either Witherspoon or Jackson will be gone, assuming General Manager Omar Khan makes the wise decision to re-sign Sutton.
Would you like to see Witherspoon return in one of the final two games? Should Khan keep him around for the 2023 season? Where is cornerback on the priority list for this upcoming off-season? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as on our social media sites!
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