The Pittsburgh Steelers are eagerly awaiting the return of second-year cornerback Cory Trice, who has been sidelined since Week 3 with a hamstring injury. Trice suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers and has been recovering since. While his return is near, the team is waiting for him to meet specific milestones before activating his 21-day practice window from Injured Reserve.
Trice’s recovery is progressing, with recent scans showing that his hamstring is nearly fully healed. However, before the Steelers can officially bring him back, Trice must demonstrate that his hamstring is at full strength. One key requirement is that he needs to reach a speed of 20 miles per hour during a practice session, ensuring that he is physically ready to return to the field.
The Steelers were hoping to have Trice back for the bye week, but the timeline for his return remains uncertain. While there is a possibility he could return as early as next week against the Baltimore Ravens, his actual availability depends on his ability to meet the required health benchmarks. The team is closely monitoring his progress and remains patient as he works to regain full fitness.
Once Trice is cleared to return, he is expected to step back into his role as the third cornerback behind Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. Prior to his injury, he had been playing a key rotational role in the Steelers’ defense, and they are hopeful that he can provide a boost once he is back in action. Trice’s versatility and talent are expected to be an asset to the defensive backfield.
The Steelers have the option to open Trice’s practice window at any time, giving him 21 days to work with the team before a decision needs to be made. During this window, he can participate in practices but cannot play in games unless he is activated to the 53-man roster. If he doesn’t make it back in time, Trice could spend the remainder of the season on IR
