Cameron Sutton excited get back to practice with Steelers, but immediate role undetermined

As Cameron Sutton was quick to point out Monday, his absence from Pittsburgh Steelers practices over the past eight weeks had nothing to do with injury.

But even if it had, there’s a part of Sutton’s anatomy that might be more important to the defense than his arms or legs.

“Cam,” teammate Donte Jackson said, “is a football brain.”

That brain has been part of Steelers meetings and film study in recent weeks. His body — for the first time since the preseason ended — joined the team at practice Monday.

Sutton’s addition to the roster figures to positively impact the secondary and the entire defense because of his ability to contribute to myriad positions.

His contributions at practice, though, are nearly as valuable.

“Cam is a football head,” Jackson said. “A football guy. All he wants to do is teach and learn football, ‘teach’ being more important. He just loves to teach, loves everybody to be in the right spots.

“It’s always great to have a guy like that back.”

Reinstated last week after serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Sutton is back and eligible to play Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

The past two months represented the first time since his rookie season seven years ago that Sutton endured an absence from football of more than one game.

“It’s difficult, obviously, being out, not doing what you love to do,” Sutton said Monday from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

“I’m excited to add to the cause,” said Sutton, who signed with the Steelers in June and participated in minicamp, training camp and the preseason but was prohibited from practice once preparations for Week 1 of the regular season.

Sutton was back in the facility in recent weeks and permitted to work out on his own and attend meetings.

His suspension was in connection to an arrest warrant issued for him regarding an alleged domestic violence incident in March. Sutton was wanted by police for several weeks before eventually turning himself in. In the interim, the Detroit Lions released him one year into a $33 million, three-year contract he signed with them in March 2023.

Sutton reportedly entered a pretrial diversion program on misdemeanor battery charges.

Sutton did not discuss that situation Monday. But he did assert that he has kept himself in enough shape that re-assimilating into the defense won’t be a problem.

“I’m ready to roll,” Sutton said. “So, whatever it is, whatever this (looks) like, ready to roll.

“I’m not injured. I’m feeling good. I’m ready to roll.”

A 2017 third-round pick, Sutton appeared in 84 games and made 39 starts for the Steelers. In starting all 20 games for the Lions last season, including their run to the NFC championship game, Sutton played outside cornerback for almost 90% of his defensive snaps.

Over his time with the Steelers, Sutton filled a variety of roles: outside corner, slot/nickel, in-the-box hybrid and even free safety.

“I play football, man,” Sutton said. “I don’t care what position it is. I could be on offensive line; I really don’t care.”

Following the lead of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin last week, Sutton did not provide any clue as to what role he immediately will step into for the Steelers.

The Steelers have gotten adequate-to-above-average play from outside corners Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, slot corner Beanie Bishop and a safeties corps highlighted by Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott.

“It means a lot,” Bishop said of Sutton’s return. “You can move more pieces around. Just being able to have that interchangeable piece is major.”

At the time Sutton was re-acquired, it generally was assumed he would play the slot/nickel. Bishop, an undrafted rookie, has three interceptions over the past two games and gradually has appeared more comfortable in the role.

No one associated with the Steelers defense was tipping his hand as to where Sutton might be deployed Sunday against the Washington Commanders. But despite spending 15 months away from the organization and having not played a game for the Steelers since January 2023, Sutton has eased back into the defensive scheme.

Safety Terrell Edmunds had spent five seasons with the Steelers before similarly departing for a year only to return in 2024.

“It’s just about getting your legs under you and making sure (you understand terminology) because everything is not the same,” Edmunds said. “The playbook is changing all the time. You have to get back used to being around the guys, being on the field with a different group of guys and getting back acclimated.”