Steelers Injury Updates•Steelers News
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean at training camp on July 31, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers starting cornerback Jamel Dean was limited on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. Dean is dealing with an ankle injury.
With Dean banged up, the Steelers will hope for a quick recovery, being that Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will pose a significant threat on Sunday.
If Dean can’t go, the Steelers could potentially be without both of their top cornerbacks. Joey Porter Jr. (NIR/conditioning) is still in limbo, as he was limited again on Thursday.
Dean’s 84.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks him fifth in the NFL, behind Baltimore’s Marlon Humphrey (85.5), Cleveland’s Denzel Ward (91.5), the Los Angeles Rams’ Trent McDuffie (93.0) and Kansas City’s Mansoor Delane (97.3).
As Porter has missed time with a back injury and trying to get conditioned, Asante Samuel Jr. has also been an important cog in the Steelers’ secondary, stepping in opposite Dean. Pittsburgh currently ranks third in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (154.5), behind only the Seattle Seahawks (124.5) and the New York Jets (131.5).
Samuel has set the standard for himself to cover as well as he did through training camp and the preseason.
“I feel like that’s what I work for in the offseason,” Samuel said. “That’s what I expect myself to do, and the player I am, that’s how I approach each and every thing, trying to maximize each and every day.”
Dean also got banged-up in the Week 1 win over Atlanta. He got rolled up on by teammate Nick Herbig after a six-yard catch-and-run by Bijan Robinson, remaining down for a moment before exiting.
Dean limped to the Steelers’ sideline without help from trainers, then headed to the blue medical tent to be evaluated. He was replaced by rookie Daylen Everette for the following second-and-4. Dean emerged from the tent with his helmet and stood on the sideline, returning on the next play.
Dean’s ankle injury will be something to monitor ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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