Adding injury to the insult of getting torched for 454 yards in defeat Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense lost a pair of contributors to what were termed “significant” knee injuries.

Most notably, starting strong safety DeShon Elliott suffered what appeared to be a painful injury to his right knee when the Green Bay Packers’ Tucker Kraft fell onto his leg and caused it to bend awkwardly.

Elliott, who signed a contract extension over the summer, leads the Steelers in tackles per game and is a vocal presence on the defense.

“DeShon was one of our leaders,” free safety Juan Thornhill said. “He did a lot for our defense… but I think we’ve got the guys who can step in… to that role.”

Elliott’s injury occurred less than 3 minutes into the second half of what ended up a 35-25 Green Bay win at the end of a third-down play in which Kraft gained 59 yards — the biggest gain of the day for either side.

Elliott missed two games earlier this season because of a knee injury. Despite playing barely more than one half Sunday, Elliott finished tied for fourth on the team with five overall tackles.

After Elliott’s injury, the Steelers did not get a stop on defense the rest of the game.

Although he is not an official captain on the Steelers’ big-name defense, Elliott is popular in the locker room and often served as an honest spokesperson for the defense.

“I love DeShon,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “(I have) from the first time I was out here in the spring minicamp. He’s a special guy, and it’s tough to see.”

Another Steelers defensive player who suffered an apparent serious knee injury was veteran defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale, who went down early during the second quarter.

The only update coach Mike Tomlin gave was referencing both Elliott and Ekuale as having “significant” knee injuries.

Seumalo leaves, too

Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo did not play after the Steelers’ first possession of the second half. Seumalo had a pectoral injury that he attempted to play through after the Steelers at halftime had announced him questionable to return to the game.

“Isaac’s a warrior,” Rodgers said, “and he wanted to be back out there. But he was obviously not 100%.”

Tomlin termed Seumalo’s injury as a “strain” and indicated he would update all of the team’s injuries during his Tuesday news conference.

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