PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Steelers have been dealt a devastating blow as promising young cornerback Cory Trice Jr. has officially been ruled out for the rest of the 2025 NFL season due to a new knee injury suffered during practice earlier this month. The team’s decision not to activate him from injured reserve on Wednesday effectively ended his year — and perhaps signaled a turning point in the franchise’s long-term expectations for the once-high-upside defender.

Trice, who had already missed two months this season with a hamstring injury, was working to get back into the defensive rotation. But this latest knee setback marks yet another chapter in a career repeatedly interrupted by physical breakdowns. The 24-year-old corner has now endured a string of injuries stretching across multiple seasons, including two torn ACLs, one of which wiped out his entire rookie year.

The Steelers entered the season hopeful that Trice could emerge as a rotational piece, maybe even develop into a future starter. Early minicamp and preseason sessions provided glimpses of why the organization was once so intrigued by his size, length, and physicality. Coaches praised his instincts. Teammates spoke highly of his work ethic. And Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin repeatedly pointed to Trice as a “quiet breakout candidate” if he could stay on the field.

The painful truth is that he couldn’t.

Durability Concerns Reach a Breaking Point

General Manager Omar Khan, speaking earlier this year at the NFL Combine, offered a brutally honest assessment rarely heard from a front office regarding a young player.

“We really like Cory. The reality is that durability has been an issue,” Khan said. “Until durability is not an issue, that’s a position we have to keep our eye on.”

Those words now echo louder than ever.

The newly reported knee injury — separate from his earlier hamstring issue — adds to a troubling pattern. Since entering the league, Trice has missed more games than he has played, and the team has been forced to prepare for life without him far more often than expected.

A Rising Talent Stopped by a Cruel Pattern

At practice this fall, Trice had been receiving second-team reps and reportedly looked sharp. Observers noted improved technique, quicker footwork, and renewed confidence. The coaching staff believed Trice was close to contributing again.

But the momentum vanished instantly.

Teammates described the moment quietly, noting that Trice “went down awkwardly” and “didn’t bounce back up.” What initially seemed precautionary became something far more serious.

It is a heartbreaking repeat of the story that has followed Trice since college: talent never in question, availability always uncertain.

Steelers Fans React With Frustration and Sympathy

The news hit social media quickly, triggering a wave of emotional reactions from Steelers fans:

• Some mourned the loss of what they believed could have been a long-term lockdown corner.

• Others expressed frustration at seeing yet another young defender fall victim to injuries.

• Many simply felt sadness for Trice, whose effort and dedication have never been doubted.

With a crucial matchup against the Chicago Bears approaching, the Steelers must now turn again to depth players, relying heavily on veterans while younger corners continue developing.

A Future Full of Questions

The Steelers have not indicated whether Trice remains part of their long-term plans. But durability concerns — acknowledged openly by Khan — raise difficult questions.

Can a player with this many major injuries still turn the corner?
Will the team trust him in a larger role next year?
And how many chances can any franchise give, no matter how gifted the player may be?

For now, Trice faces yet another long recovery road.

And the Steelers face the harsh reality that one of their most promising defensive prospects may never get the chance to become the player they once believed he could be.