Holcomb (knee) was placed on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday. Holcomb is still working his way back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 9 of the 2023 season and he'll be forced to sit out at least the first four weeks of 2024. Once healthy, the 28-year-old is expected to operate as Pittsburgh's third option at interior linebacker behind Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts.
Unlock the latest Pittsburgh Steelers news — direct to your inbox.
Status
PUP-R - Knee - Surgery Expected Return: 2024-12-25Latest Cole Holcomb news
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
Birthdate
7/30/1996 (28)
Status
Physically unable to perform
HT/WT
6'1", 240 lbs
Draft Info
2019: Rd 5; Pk (WAS)
Birthplace
New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA
Position
LB
College
North Carolina
Experience
6 seasons
Career History
Pittsburgh Steelers
2023-Present
(2 seasons)
Washington Commanders
2019-2023
(4 seasons)
Holcomb (knee) was placed on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday. Holcomb is still working his way back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 9 of the 2023 season and he'll be forced to sit out at least the first four weeks of 2024. Once healthy, the 28-year-old is expected to operate as Pittsburgh's third option at interior linebacker behind Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts.
The Steelers placed Holcomb (knee) on the active/PUP list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Holcomb sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 9 of last season against the Titans. The injury was considered to be potentially career-ending, but the 2019 fifth-round linebacker out of North Carolina has spent the offseason rehabbing. Head coach Mike Tomlin said in June that he was hopeful Holcomb would be available at some point during training camp, per Nick Farabaugh of SteelersNow.com. Before sustaining the knee injury, Holcomb recorded 54 tackles (31 solo), two passes defended and two forced fumbles across eight regular-season games in 2023.
Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Wednesday that Holcomb (knee) is on track to be ready for training camp, Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now reports. There was speculation earlier this offseason that Holcomb's knee injury was severe enough to force the 27-year-old linebacker to medically retire, but it seems like he'll be able to return to the field after all. Holcomb appeared in eight games before sustaining his season-ending injury in 2023, recording 54 total tackles, including four tackles for loss, while also tallying two passes defended and two forced fumbles. He's expected to retain a substantial role in the Steelers' linebacker corps once he moves past his knee issue.
Holcomb (knee) still doesn't have a timeline for when he may be able to return to the field, Adam Borst of SteelersNow.com reports. Holcomb suffered a significant knee injury Week 9 against the Titans that required season-ending surgery to repair. Since then, there has been speculation that the damage done was enough to keep the North Carolina product on the sidelines permanently, bringing an early end to his career. However, according to GM Omar Khan, Holcolmb is "working extremely hard to get back. I don't really have much to add on a timeline." Khan further stated, "It was a major injury, but he is working hard and I'm optimistic about all the effort he's going to put into getting back on the field."
Holcomb's knee injury suffered last season could be career-threatening, Chris Mueller of 93.7 The Fan reports. Holcomb suffered a significant knee injury in Week 9 last season that saw him carted off the field and taken to the hospital. Mueller's speculation seems to arise from previous comments made by Steelers executive Omar Khan, as well as the addition of Patrick Queen in free agency. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Feb. 29 that according to Khan, Holcomb was working hard but didn't have a timeline for a return.
He recovered a fumble forced by Kwon Alexander on Evan Engram late in the first quarter to stop the Jaguars' drive deep in Steelers territory. Holcomb's 11 tackles were a season-high and the first time he's registered double-digit takedowns since Week 6 of the 2022 season. Holcomb once again played in every single defensive snap Sunday and has done so in all but one game this season.