Steelers Star Shared Heartbreaking Moment When He Thought His Career Was Finished: "I Can't Come Back"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to continue staying competitive in the 2026 season, despite the massive overhaul on the coaching staff and the continued questions at the quarterback position. Pittsburgh is desperate for some postseason success, and staying healthy is going to be a big part of that. One player that is returning from injury for the Steelers is safety DeShon Elliott, as he missed a handful of games during the 2025 season due to two separate injuries. He was missed on defense throughout the back half of the season after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 8. 

Elliott suffered a sprained MCL during Pittsburgh's Week 1 win over the New York Jets that caused him to miss the team's next two games. He returned for the game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland in Week 4, and he remained healthy until Week 8. While playing the Green Bay Packers, tight end Tucker Kraft fell on Elliott's knee, causing it to hyperextend. Elliott had to be carted off into the locker room, and it was made clear that his season was over shortly after. It also was reported later on that the injury included the hamstring being torn off the bone, which required surgery.

The safety joined Cam Heyward on Not Just Football on Wednesday, and the two discussed the current status of the team while also rehashing the 2025 season. Elliott shared some details about his injury, including how he was feeling after the fact.

"Big tight end for the Packers, 85, he got hurt too, he got hurt I think a week after me," Elliott said. "Tucker Kraft, yeah. He fell into my knee and it hyperextended. I thought my career was done. I said, 'Oh God, I'm going on year nine, I don't know if I'll ever be able to come back from a full knee replacement.' But come to find out my knee was totally fine. I'm blessed to say that nothing happened to my knee. It was just the hamstring, and that's easy for me. All you got to do is get strong."

Elliott went on to discuss how painful the injury was, and he even said that he initially thought he had an injury that was similar to what Nick Chubb suffered in a game against the Steelers. Thankfully, there was no structural damage done to his knee, and the injury was not as severe as it could have been.

Elliott is still recovering from his hamstring injury, as it was one of the more serious hamstring injuries that can be suffered. It is similar to the injury that ended Dak Prescott's season in 2024, and it required surgery. Elliott noted that he was going back to his doctor soon and he should be in the clear shortly. He said that he feels great, and he was even in Pittsburgh at Phase One of voluntary offseason workouts.

Steelers' DeShon Elliott Wants To See A Healthy Season

Elliott has had horrendous luck when it comes to injuries during his professional career. He missed his entire rookie season with an arm injury back in 2018, and he then only played in six games in 2019. He also only played in six games during the 2021 season. He has a past that is full of injuries, and it seemed like he finally broke that streak when he had the best season of his career in 2024 with the Steelers. 

Hopefully the veteran safety can return to how he played in 2024 and stay healthy for the majority of the 2026 season, because he has become a fan-favorite and the defense is better when he is on the field.

What do you think about Elliott's reaction to his injury? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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