Steelers' safety need grows as veteran gets medical clearance

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reshaped their secondary, but safety remains the spot that could present a problem as the season gets underway. Jordan Whitehead, a Pittsburgh-area native, has been deemed healthy and worth a phone call.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Whitehead has been fully cleared after neck surgery. He recently worked out for Indianapolis and Houston, with more visits expected.

Whitehead would bring experience alongside DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker, with Jalen Ramsey offering flexibility. Elliott’s injury history and the lack of a proven free safety behind them leave Pittsburgh exposed if one hamstring ruins a Sunday.

Darnell Savage adds veteran insurance on a one-year deal, though Whitehead’s résumé is deeper. Across 105 games and 101 starts, he has 557 tackles, 45 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two recoveries. His career highs include 97 tackles and four interceptions in 2023, nine pass breakups in 2019 and 2023, and two sacks in 2020.

The Aliquippa native and former Pitt standout owns a Super Bowl ring from his time with the Bucs. Whitehead is meeting with teams now, so Pittsburgh shouldn’t wait until it’s too late to reunite him with former teammate Jamel Dean.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers safety need grows as veteran gets medical clearance