1 of 5 | Veteran safety Jabrill Peppers (R) spent the last three seasons with the New England Patriots. File Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI | License Photo
The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to sign safety Jabrill Peppers, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed to reporters Tuesday. They will face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Peppers’ signing came two days after Steelers starting short safety DeShon Elliott hurt his knee in a 34-32 win over the New York Jets on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
“We will be signing Jabrill today and get him up to speed about what it is we will ask him to do,” Tomlin said.
Peppers spent the last three seasons with the New England Patriots. He was released through the final wave of roster cuts. The 29-year-old defender appeared in 99 games through the first eight years of his NFL career.
Peppers, a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft, logged 511 combined tackles, 35 passes defensed, 30 tackles for a loss, seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and an interception for a touchdown through his first eight seasons.
Tomlin said Elliott most likely will miss Week 2 due to his injury. He shared the same status for linebacker Malik Harrison and defensive end Derrick Harmon, who are also dealing with knee injuries. Tomlin said he is optimistic about the playing status of both cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and linebacker Nick Herbig.
The Steelers coach touted Peppers for his position flexibility, citing his ability to line up at safety, nickelback and on special teams. Chuck Clark. is listed as Elliott’s backup on the Steelers’ depth chart. Juan Thornhill and Miles Killebrew are among the other safeties on the Steelers roster.
