Season Over Before It Starts — Steelers Star Safety Suffers Brutal ACL/MCL Tear vs Jets
Pittsburgh, PA – September 8, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a crushing blow in their Week 1 victory over the New York Jets, as veteran safety DeShon Elliott is feared to have sustained a season-ending knee injury.
Team doctors confirmed initial diagnosis of a torn ACL and MCL in Elliott’s right knee, an injury suffered in the first half after colliding with running back Breece Hall. Elliott left the field limping, was quickly ruled out, and underwent further evaluation that revealed the extent of the damage.
"This one hurts," head coach Mike Tomlin said postgame. "DeShon brought leadership, toughness, and a presence to our secondary. To lose him in Week 1 is tough for the group, but we’ll rally as a team."
Elliott, 27, joined the Steelers this offseason after stints with the Ravens, Lions, and Dolphins. Known for his aggressive tackling style and vocal leadership, he was expected to play a pivotal role alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick in anchoring Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield. His signing was viewed as one of the key moves in Pittsburgh’s push to return to the AFC playoff spotlight.
The loss leaves a glaring hole in the secondary. The Steelers will now rely more heavily on veteran depth options like Miles Killebrew and recent additions Chuck Clark and Juan Thornhill, while also considering outside reinforcements as the season moves forward. Inside the locker room, several teammates were visibly shaken by the news, with Fitzpatrick calling Elliott “a brother we all look up to.”
Fans across Steelers Nation reacted immediately on social media, flooding timelines with messages of support and frustration. One fan wrote, “We waited all offseason to see this defense together — now we lose Elliott before the journey even starts. Heartbreaking.”
Season Over Before It Starts — Steelers Star Safety DeShon Elliott Suffers Brutal ACL/MCL Tear vs Jets pic.twitter.com/eV6JW40ztp
— MORGAN (@MORGAN671817548) September 8, 2025
For Elliott, this marks another devastating setback in a career plagued by injuries. He had fought through multiple ailments in past seasons, but this latest blow could sideline him for the entirety of 2025, putting his future in doubt once again.
"I’ve battled back before, and I’ll do it again," Elliott said in a short social media post late Sunday night. "This isn’t the end of my story. I’ll come back stronger, no matter how long it takes."
The Steelers may have opened the season with a win, but the emotional toll of losing Elliott will linger far beyond the scoreboard. For Steelers Nation, this is more than just an injury — it’s a reminder of the sacrifices players make for the black and gold.
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BREAKING: Eagles Star Restructures Contract to Save $7 Million Cap Space
Philadelphia, PA – September 7, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have executed a strategic contract adjustment with one of their most trusted protectors, ensuring both financial flexibility and continued stability along the offensive front. By restructuring the deal of their franchise left tackle, the team has created valuable salary cap room heading into a pivotal year.
Balancing roster costs has become increasingly complex after an offseason of difficult decisions, but Philadelphia chose a move that secures one of its most important building blocks while also keeping the door open for roster upgrades elsewhere.
That player is Jordan Mailata, the 6-foot-8 lineman who has transformed from a rugby project into one of the NFL’s premier tackles. His 2025 cap hit stood at $15.4 million, including $10.2 million in base salary. By converting nearly $9 million of that figure into a signing bonus and spreading it across the final years of his extension, the Eagles free up close to $7 million in cap space.
The adjustment does come with future implications, potentially raising the dead cap figure for 2026, but the Eagles view the move as a necessary trade-off. Mailata has started 62 games over the past four seasons and is widely regarded as the anchor of the line protecting Jalen Hurts’ blindside.
The newly created space could prove essential. Philadelphia is expected to explore adding defensive depth, with veteran pass rushers and cornerbacks floated as potential targets, as the team prepares for another deep playoff push.
Mailata’s willingness to restructure underscores his leadership within the locker room and his status as a franchise cornerstone. Fan voices on social media have hailed him as “the bodyguard of Hurts” — a role the organization clearly believes in as well.
For the Eagles, the move symbolizes a clear approach: retain stars already in place while maintaining flexibility to pursue complementary talent. For Mailata, it is a reaffirmation of his long-term identity as the foundation of Philadelphia’s offensive line.
As the Eagles prepare to launch their 2025 campaign, they do so with one of the NFL’s most dominant left tackles locked in — and with the financial breathing room to keep building around him.
