Forgotten amid the fast start for the Pittsburgh Steelers, which sees them sitting at 6-2 on the season entering the Week 9 bye week, is the fact that they might be getting healthier in the second half of the season, especially at inside linebacker.
Veteran Cole Holcomb continues to rehab and work his way back toward potentially getting on the field in the 2024 season. Currently on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list for the Steelers, Holcomb continues to work in the shadows in an effort to return from his gruesome knee injury suffered last season in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans.
While there is plenty of doubt that he makes his return this season, inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry is very pleased with the way Holcomb continues to attack his rehab.
“I think the best thing that he’s done is really just focus on being the best that he could possibly be, in regards to his rehab and making sure that he doesn’t get distracted by the eagerness or the wanting to be back out there and staying focused and locked in on increasing and improving his health,” Curry told reporters Wednesday of Holcomb’s recovery process, according to video via Steelers Live on Twitter. “And he’s done a really good job at that.”
Not much has been reported regarding Holcomb’s rehab and recovery since he suffered the injury last season on Thursday Night Football.
In April, Steelers GM Omar Khan stated Holcomb was working hard to get back. Then in May, Holcomb stated he wasn’t worried about returning from the knee injury because he had full confidence in himself and his recovery.
In late July during training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, the Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac stated that Holcomb wasn’t anywhere near ready to play, which played out as the Steelers placed the linebacker on the Reserve/PUP list ahead of the season.
That move meant he had to miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season. That was an anticipated move after the team renegotiated his contract earlier this summer, creating a split-salary clause.
Then, in early October, Dulac stated to readers during his weekly chat that he doubts Holcomb plays at all this season. As the days go by and he hasn’t hit the practice field, that seems becoming increasingly likely, which is disappointing for Holcomb, who was playing well prior to his injury.
Holcomb had 54 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 2 passes defensed and 4 tackles for loss, playing 447 snaps before getting hurt. He graded out at a 64.2 overall from Pro Football Focus, including a 72.2 in run defense and a 55.2 in coverage.
While Curry is encouraged by the way Holcomb is attacking his rehab and focusing on being the best version of himself, as a former player who dealt with injuries, he understands how difficult it can be for Holcomb to have the right mindset through the grueling process.
“It is really challenging to be around the game and not be able to perform and play and practice the game that you’ve been playing all your life,” Curry said regarding Holcomb. “It’s really challenging. It takes a lot of mental toughness and a lot of self-discipline not to put yourself in position to put yourself at risk.”
So far, Holcomb has that mental toughness and self-discipline, continuing to take things one day at a time and trusting the process, even if that itch to get back on the field is gnawing at him.
We’ll see if Holcomb’s persistence and discipline pay off, allowing him to get back onto the field this season. If not, maybe next year. Right now, though, it’s important he’s taking his time and doing things the right way.
