There is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s status as he remains on the PUP list. The veteran cornerback has yet to return to practice, and the lack of specifics surrounding his absence has made it difficult to determine whether the Steelers are simply being cautious or if there is a more significant concern.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly discussed Ramsey’s situation on the Steelers Collective and shared his own uncertainty about the cornerback’s status. He admitted that it has been difficult to get a clear read on why Ramsey remains sidelined.
"Right now, I'm 50-50 with Ramsey … They're either being cautious and bringing him back later or there's something really wrong with him. I mean, we can't get a read on that. I can't get a read on that, so I don't know." Kaboly said.
The mystery of training camp injury reports doesn’t help
© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Right now, the Steelers don’t have to provide specifics on injuries. In the case of Brandin Echols, head coach Mike McCarthy indicated that he was dealing with a leg/ankle injury but didn’t provide additional details, only saying that Echols would miss some practices. With Ramsey, the only known detail is that he remains on the PUP list. Chances are, if there were a more serious concern, it would have leaked by now. Still, having both Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. on the PUP list isn’t ideal.
With a brand-new defensive staff, the Steelers would probably prefer to have their starting cornerbacks on the field. Ramsey’s versatility and ability to serve as a chess piece in this defense make his presence even more valuable.
For now, Ramsey’s trip to the PUP list doesn’t appear to be viewed as a long-term issue. It has created opportunities for other players, however. Most notably, younger Steelers cornerbacks are getting their chance to show what they can do.
One Steelers’ absence is another’s opportunity
Asante Samuel Jr. and Daylen Everette have made the most of their opportunities with Porter and Ramsey out of action. While it is still early in training camp, both young cornerbacks have already made notable impressions. Samuel has demonstrated the flexibility to play both man and zone coverage effectively. He had an exceptionally strong first week of camp and has continued that momentum into this week.
Everette likely won’t see a ton of starting snaps barring a series of unfortunate events. However, he has drawn praise from both the media and his teammates throughout camp. He should still have opportunities to make an impact on special teams. His skill set makes him a prime candidate to become a strong contributor there while he continues developing as a cornerback.
Everette’s contributions throughout camp have already shown why the Steelers viewed him as an excellent selection. If he continues progressing, he could ultimately prove to be one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft.
