The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tall task ahead of them as they take on what is probably the best team in the NFL right now, the Indianapolis Colts. However, their defense is pretty banged up right now, and safety Jalen Ramsey will need to step up, especially as the team has been hit hard with injuries as of late.
Their two best free safeties (FS) in DeShon Elliott and Miles Killbrew have been relegated to the injured reserve, with strong safeties (SS) Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers being listed as out for the game. With the Colts being an offensive powerhouse, the Steelers need all the help they can get on defense, and head coach Mike Tomlin has made an important announcement regarding Ramsey.
Jalen Ramsey will play exclusively at FS today against the Colts, Mike Tomlin tells @BobLabriola in an interview.
Steelers short at safety due to injury and illness. Leaves Porter, Slay, and Echols as the team’s top 3 cornerbacks. https://t.co/vtvXtrHitz
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) November 2, 2025
“We moved Jalen Ramsey exclusively to safety this week, to offset. Jalen has played outside corner, he’s played nickel corner, he’s played safety. Given the circumstances, we felt it was prudent to lock him down specifically at free safety, and so he’ll be a constant hub of communication to assist all of those potential candidates who I mentioned in processing and playing,” the coach said.
Usually, Ramsay plays as the Stellers’ slot cornerback, but with their top two FS’s out for several games, Tomlin had to get creative and move his players around to other positions. The corner back has practiced as a safety during the team’s preseason training camp, so he does have a bit of familiarity with the position. However, how he plays as a safety will truly be tested against one of the best offenses in the league today.
Pittsburgh Steelers Not Just Moving Jalen Ramsey As Team Battles Injury Problems
It is not just Jalen Ramsey that Mike Tomlin is moving around, as several Steelers defensive starters are finding themselves in new positions following Ramsey’s move to safety.
Nickelback Brandin Echols may likely find himself as a starting cornerback, with Darius Slay going to be the left cornerback and Joey Porter Jr. going to be the right corner back. It is also possible that they may elevate James Pierre, usually a backup cornerback, as a starter.
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