The Pittsburgh Steelers have fought through some injury woes during the 2024 season, but they are finally getting some critical players back after their bye week. One player who has yet to be seen in 2024 is inside linebacker Cole Holcomb. Holcomb suffered a severe knee injury in the middle of the 2023 season, and he is still trying to fight his way back from the incident. Pittsburgh doesn't have a pressing need for Holcomb to return, but fans would like to see him back on the gridiron.
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Steelers' Cole Holcomb at picture day alongside Alex Highsmith in 2024.
Pittsburgh signed Holcomb during free agency in the 2023 offseason, and he contributed almost immediately for the defense. He was the unit's co-leader in tackles before injuring his knee in a game against the Tennessee Titans. He has been somewhat of an afterthought in 2024 as he began the season on the Physically Unable To Perform list, and he has yet to be cleared for football activities. There was some optimism that Holcomb would return to the field later in the 2024 season, but the chances of that are looking bleak according to Bob Labriola.
"Cole Holcomb continues to rehabilitate the knee injury he sustained last November in a game vs. the Titans," Labriola wrote. "I believe any optimism that he would return at any point in 2024 should be tempered by the reality that as of now, he has done no football activity for over a calendar year."
Up until the point of his injury, the linebacker had recorded 54 total tackles and two forced fumbles. He was looking like the best offseason addition for Pittsburgh.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb participates in drills at 2023 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA..
The injury put the Steelers in a difficult spot in 2023 as the team had to sign Myles Jack, who had previously retired from the NFL. Jack wound up starting in big games, including Pittsburgh's matchup with the Buffalo Bills in the postseason. Pittsburgh's front office clearly knew that Holcomb was a longshot to return in 2024, as they addressed the inside linebacker position by signing Patrick Queen in free agency and selecting Payton Wilson in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Holcomb is signed with the Steelers through the 2025 season, so if he can't return in 2024, fans should expect to see him next year if he is still on the roster. When the injury occurred, it was clear it would keep him sidelined for a good amount of time, but now that he hasn't played football for over a year, it will take a while for him to get up to speed. That is hard to do in the middle of a season, so fans shouldn't hold their breath when it comes to seeing taking the field anytime soon.
Steelers' Cole Holcomb Should Be In No Rush To Return
Thankfully for Holcomb and the Steelers, there is no rush for the veteran to get back on the field. Queen, Wilson, and Elandon Roberts have played well at the linebacker spot. The trio has remained relatively healthy throughout the year, and the group is certainly an improvement over what was seen at the position in 2023.
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The Steelers defense is playing near the top of the league, but Holcomb would certainly help the unit. He has a nose for the football and was one of the more efficient tacklers on Pittsburgh's defense in 2023. Holcomb could be considered a cut-candidate going into the 2025 season since Pittsburgh has properly addressed the position, but with Roberts being an upcoming free agent, the Steelers may want to hold on to Holcomb. Hopefully Holcomb can return to playing like his old self, but it will be difficult for the linebacker to bounce back from such a severe injury.
When do you hope to see Holcomb next? Let us know in the comments below!
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