Pittsburgh Steelers insider has grim news for LB Cole Holcomb

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost linebacker Cole Holcomb to a serious knee injury in Week 9 of last season, and since then his status for the upcoming season has been up in the air.

Holcomb gave a positive update earlier this offseason, but ESPN's Brooke Pryor later reported that the injury might be more serious than just a torn ACL, which only added to the linebacker's murky status.

"My understanding is it’s not just a simple ACL tear and they’re being very vague on what the specific injury is," Pryor said, before adding that Holcomb's "recovery timeline isn’t quite clear."

“I’m not at all worried or anything like that,” Holcomb said of his injury in May. “I know I’ll come back and I’ll play football.”

In a recent "Steelers Chat" with Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , he reported that Holcomb is "not anywhere near being able to play."

Linebacker Lounge : Personally love the reunion with Dirty Red, can Mark Robinson still make the cut? Thanks

Gerry Dulac : It will be a little tougher now, too, because of the additions of Queen and Payton Wilson. And, dont' forget, Holcomb is still around, though he's not anywhere near being able to play.

While it remains to be seen how much Holcomb — who played well as a starter last season — will be able to do this year for Pittsburgh, the good news is the Steelers are still in a great spot at linebacker.

On top of having Elandon Roberts returning, Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen in free agency and drafted Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Roberts was good in a starting role in 2023, and Queen has become one of the best at his position in the NFL over his four-year career. Wilson has managed to flash in camp thus far and looks to be a solid No. 3 option on the depth chart.

With all that in mind, the Steelers can take their time with Holcomb, who looks like he's going to need more than initially anticipated. But if he can return, the Steelers will have an embarrassment of riches at the position in 2024.