The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a hot start—exactly what was needed, especially in what’s expected to be Aaron Rodgers’ final year. The team made its intentions clear this offseason by going all-in on the trade market, acquiring star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. At the time, the move raised questions about how it might impact GM Omar Khan’s future.
“That being said, trading a beloved star, and the heart and soul of your defense in exchange for a great, but also aging superstar and a TE is a risky move from Omar Khan. Jonnu Smith is a good player, and he will make the offense better, but this a TE #2 we are talking about after all. So in the end, it's a good move for the Steelers on paper. But if Ramsey doesn't produce and the team falters, it's going to get hot in the kitchen for Khan,” A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson wrote.
Ramsey started the season strong but has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. There’s growing optimism he could return for this week’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers might have a surprise returning starter for their Week 6 matchup. Superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey injured his hamstring in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, and the expectation was that he would miss multiple weeks and games due to the ailment,” SI’s Jacob Punturi wrote.
However, based on Ramsey’s recent comments, a return for Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals may be more likely.
“Does the fact that the Steelers play Thursday factor into Jalen Ramsey’s availability for Sunday vs. Browns? Ramsey: depends on who you ask. Follow up: what if we ask you? Ramsey: ummm, yeah, it matters,” NFL reporter Brooke Pryor posted.
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Ramsey is eager to rejoin his teammates, but the tight schedule forces a choice: play Sunday and likely miss Thursday, or sit out Sunday to be available for the divisional matchup against Cincinnati. With the Browns’ offense struggling more than the Bengals’, it would make strategic sense to hold him for Thursday.
Coming off a bye week, the Steelers are looking to make quick work of the Browns on Sunday. Whenever Ramsey does return, Pittsburgh’s defense will be even more dangerous moving forward.