By R.L. Bynum
Cole Holcomb’s season likely came to a painful end Thursday night.
Late in the first quarter of Pittsburgh’s 20–16 victory over the Tennessee Titans, the Steelers’ starting left inside linebacker suffered a serious and gruesome left knee injury. ESPN reported that a league source confirmed he’s out for the season.
“Obviously, Cole Holcomb has got a serious knee injury,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him. I’ll have an update, I’m sure, the next time we come together regarding the nature of that. Obviously, we’re really disappointed, and our heart goes out to Cole.”
Holcomb was trying to catch receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the Titans’ longest play of the game — a 29-yard reception — when Steelers safety Keanu Neal leaped to try to make the tackle and collided with Holcomb’s left knee.
His leg bent awkwardly, making the below replay hard to watch. Prime Video didn’t replay the play on its broadcast.
Holcomb immediately was writhing in pain as he held that knee and was eventually taken off the field on a cart.
Holcomb, who signed a three-year, $18-million contract with Pittsburgh in March after four seasons in Washington, was tied for the team lead in tackles with 54 when he got hurt. Of those, 31 were solo tackles and he’s also forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble. He’s been effective both in pass coverage and also defending the run.
Coming into the game, Holcomb had played the second-most defensive snaps on the team. Holcomb had two assists before leaving the game. He’s played 85% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps this season.
Holcomb missed most of last season in Washington with a knee injury, then foot surgery, only playing seven games.
Holcomb had 171 tackles and 156 assists in five seasons at Carolina from 2015 to 2018, earning second-team All-ACC honors as a senior. After being primarily a special-teams player as a freshman, he started 35 games in his final three college seasons. He led the ACC with 9.5 tackles per game his senior season.
After playing in relief of quarterback Kenny Pickett in the previous game, Mitch Trubisky didn’t play on Thursday.
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