Through the first half of the 2023 NFL season, linebacker Cole Holcomb was proving to be one of the year’s best free agent acquisitions for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the Steelers will now have to finish the season without him.
Holcomb left the Week 9 win over the Tennessee Titans on November 2 with a knee injury. He exited on a cart and went to the hospital.
On November 3, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported an update on Holcomb’s status.
“Steelers LB Cole Holcomb has been discharged after spending the night in the hospital as a precaution because of the serious knee injury he suffered Thursday night,” Pelissero wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Holcomb is out for the season and will need surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery. A significant loss for Pittsburgh’s defense, as Holcomb made an impact early.”
#Steelers LB Cole Holcomb has been discharged after spending the night in the hospital as a precaution because of the serious knee injury he suffered Thursday night.
Holcomb is out for the season and will need surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery. A significant loss…
Holcomb will end the season, his first in Pittsburgh, with 54 combined tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hits. He also had 2 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery in eight games.
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Said ‘Our Thoughts & Prayers’ Are With LB Cole Holcomb
There was no update during Thursday Night Football beyond the fact that Holcomb had left with a knee injury. But all signs pointed to it being serious.
Shortly after Holcomb left on a cart, Amazon Prime sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung reported that the Steelers had ruled out him out for the game.
In his postgame press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin called Holcomb’s injury “serious.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with him,” added Tomlin.
Holcomb suffered his injury while trying to cover Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a first-and-23 play with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. The mismatch happened because Hopkins was lined up in the slot.
Hopkins hauled in a pass from quarterback Will Levis for a 29-yard gain. Steelers safety Keanu Neal made the tackle but in the process of bringing down Hopkins appeared to bump into Holcomb’s knee.
Amazon Prime play-by-play announcer Al Michaels said they didn’t show the replay more than once because of the obvious severity of the injury.
Holcomb recorded 2 total tackles and a quarterback hit before leaving.
The Steelers signed Holcomb to a three-year, $18 million contract this past offseason. He received about $4.9 million guaranteed upon signing.
Holcomb spent the first four seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders. The last time he played a full season was 2021, when he recorded 142 combined tackles, including 83 solos.
How the Steelers Replace Holcomb
The 27-year-old linebacker doesn’t have the same name recognition as superstars T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward or Minkah Fitzpatrick. He’s not on the same level nationally as even edge rusher Alex Highsmith.
But Holcomb was growing into his role on Pittsburgh’s defense. As of November 3, he is tied for the team lead with 54 combined tackles. He’s also fifth on the team in defensive snaps.
Among defenders with 250 snaps this season, Pro Football Focus has Holcomb ranked as Pittsburgh’s fourth-best run defender.
Without Holcomb, the Steelers will have to rely more on fellow veteran linebackers Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts. Like Holcomb, Pittsburgh also signed both Alexander and Roberts in free agency during the offseason.
Through nine weeks, Alexander and Roberts split snaps next to Holcomb in the middle of Pittsburgh’s defense. Alexander excels in pass coverage while Roberts is better against the run.
Second-year linebacker Mark Robinson could also play more in Holcomb’s absence. He has played just 4 defensive snaps this season.
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Steelers Receive Bad Injury Update on LB Cole Holcomb