With Darius Slay out, Steelers stick with Jalen Ramsey at safety, play James Pierre at CB

Even attrition at cornerback doesn’t sound as if it will be enough to compel the Pittsburgh Steelers to move Jalen Ramsey back to the position.

Ramsey has been that good at free safety, coach Mike Tomlin emphasized during his weekly news conference Tuesday. And at the other end of the decision regarding how to replace Darius Slay is Tomlin’s full faith in reserve cornerback James Pierre.

Tomlin called Ramsey playing safety “a stabilizing force” for the secondary. In regards to the immediate future of Ramsey’s deployment, Tomlin said, “I’d imagine that’s not going to change.”

“We’ve gotten really solid (play) with Jalen Ramsey and Kyle Dugger at safety,” Tomlin said. “There’s been a reduction in some of the big plays (against). I think we’re making people earn it more. That’s helping us in a lot of ways. I thought our possession-down play was improved in that space, and so I’m excited about that stability that we’ve got at the safety position between those two.”

Ramsey and Dugger were paired two weeks ago after the trade acquisition of the latter from the New England Patriots, coupled with injuries to safeties Chuck Clark (illness) and Jabrill Peppers (quadriceps).

Ramsey is a three-time All-Pro cornerback, but his first extended, full-game deployment at safety as a pro has been a massive upgrade over the likes of Juan Thornhill, Clark and Peppers. (Thornhill was released Monday.)

When Slay was forced out of this past Sunday’s loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers kept Ramsey deep and used Pierre as an outside cornerback. Slay enters this week of practice in concussion protocol, leaving his status for this Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals highly in question.

But even with a week of adjustment time to game plan and practice — and even the return of Peppers to practice — the Steelers have been so impressed with Ramsey at safety that they will choose to rely instead on their current group of cornerbacks. It’s a corps that got bigger Tuesday after the signing of veteran Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad, but the most significant aspect of Tomlin’s faith in his CB room is that it has Pierre.

“James is always game,” Tomlin said. “I thought he played really well (in Los Angeles), but I thought he’s played really well when called upon all year. It’s reflective of how he prepares and the level of professionalism that he brings day-in and day-out. Man, it’s been cool to watch the growth and development of his career over the time that he’s been here.”

Pierre has made 17 starts for the Steelers, starting multiple games during three separate seasons. Since he joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic in 2020, Pierre has missed only three of the Steelers’ 93 regular-season games. No player has suited up more often for the team in that time span.

Pierre has become one of special teams coordinator Danny Smith’s most trusted players. Against the Chargers, Pierre was part of five special teams units (kick and punt return and coverage teams in addition to place-kick block) in addition to playing 47 snaps at outside corner after Slay went down.

Pierre had five tackles (two solo) and two passes defensed Sunday against the Chargers. According to Pro Football Focus, L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert was only 2 for 5 for 25 yards when targeting a receiver to whom Pierre was closest in coverage.

Pierre has made only two starts since October 2022, each coming late last season. The timing does not do him any favors: The Bengals feature NFL receptions leader Ja’Marr Chase and have one of the NFL’s best WR2’s in Tee Higgins. That duo combined for 22 catches, 257 receiving yards and two touchdowns during a 33-31 win against the Steelers four weeks ago.

In his NFL career, Pierre has three interceptions, five forced fumbles, 17 passes defensed and 128 tackles.

“Over the course of his career, since he’s been here, he’s played in more games than anyone on our roster,” Tomlin said. “He’s always available. He’s a dynamic special teams player, and he’s a rising defender, particularly in 2025.”