Cole Holcomb injury update: Steelers LB carted off field after gruesome leg injury, won’t return to ‘TNF’

The Steelers will have to navigate the rest of “Thursday Night Football” without one of their starting linebackers. 

Pittsburgh LB Cole Holcomb was carted off the field after a collision with his own teammate in the first quarter in the Steelers’ game against the Titans. It was reported that Holcomb will not return to the contest. 

Holcomb, 27, is in his first season with the Steelers after he signed a three-year, $18 million contract with Pittsburgh this offseason. He entered Thursday night second on the team in tackles (52), third in tackles for loss (four) and tied for first in forced fumbles (two). 

The Steelers’ defense was already shorthanded coming into the game against the Titans. Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is not playing Thursday after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 8. 

MORE: Live updates, highlights from Titans-Steelers on “Thursday Night Football”

Here is the latest news and updates on Holcomb’s injury:

Cole Holcomb injury update

Holcomb was hurt late in the first quarter after colliding with teammate, Steelers safety Keanu Neal. After Titans QB connected with WR DeAndre Hopkins, Holcomb went to chase down the veteran wide receiver. 

Neal dove at Hopkins to try and bring down the Tennessee receiver, but as he did so, he clipped the legs of Holcomb with his foot, causing the Pittsburgh linebacker to fall. Holcomb immediately grabbed his left knee and remained down on the turf. 

Al Michaels on Steelers’ LB Cole Holcomb, who was carted off: “This is one of those injuries where we don’t need to show the replay.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 3, 2023

#Steelers LB Cole Holcomb is down on the field after getting hurt by his own teammate. pic.twitter.com/xrTKUQypTm

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) November 3, 2023

Holcomb injury #NFL pic.twitter.com/uOcFSALcrl

— ZD REGIJA (@nevrimeinesrica) November 3, 2023

Holcomb had to be carted off the field, still clutching his knee as he left for the locker room. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Holcomb will not return to the “Thursday Night Football” game. 

Linebacker Elandon Roberts is likely to receive more snaps at inside linebacker with Holcomb out for the remainder of the night. 

Cole Holcomb stats

Holcomb has been a great addition for Mike Tomlin’s team after spending four seasons in Washington. He enjoyed one of his best performances so far in a Steelers uniform last week, racking up 10 total tackles and a fumble recovery against the Jaguars. 

Source