An injury paved the way for Jabrill Peppers to find a new home.
The Steelers are expected to sign the veteran free agent and have agreed to terms, according to NFL Network, in the aftermath of starting safety DeShon Elliott suffering a Week 1 injury.
Elliott sustained an MCL sprain during the thrilling 34-32 win over the Jets and is expected to miss several weeks with the goal of returning in Week 4, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
That the Steelers can land a player of Peppers’ quality after Week 1 is a stroke of fortune.
Peppers has been a very good to solid safety during his career, but he didn’t fit the scheme under new Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and New England opted to move on right before the season started.
He spent the last three years in Foxborough, appearing in 38 games with 26 starts.
Jabrill Peppers is headed to Pittsburgh. AP
Pro Football Focus credited him with the fourth-highest grade among all safeties last year.
That grade, though, came in just six games since Peppers missed time after being arrested in October on allegations of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
DeShon Elliott tackling Breece Hall in Week 1. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectHe was later acquitted.
Beyond Elliott’s injury, the Steelers certain look like a team that could use secondary help after not being able to stop a Justin Fields-led passing attack in Week 1.
Jabrill Pepper was cut by New England before the season. APThe knock on Fields has always been that he can’t lead a high-level passing attack, yet he sliced and diced the Steelers’ pass defense for 218 yards on a 16-of-22 showing with one touchdown.
The Jets also had no issues with Pittsburgh’s run defense, rushing 39 times for 182 yards behind a game-high 103 from Breece Hall.
Only Aaron Rodgers’ brilliance allowed the Steelers to overcome the defense’s no-show.
Pittsburgh started three cornerbacks — Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey — alongside Elliott in the opener.
The Steelers will be Peppers’ fourth team following a two-year stint in Cleveland and three seasons with the Jets before his Patriots tenure.
Pittsburgh hosts Seattle in Week 2 in what will be new receiver DK Metcalf’s first game against his former team following an offseason trade.
