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Linebacker Returns to Steelers Camp after a Near Career-ending Injury

Linebacker Cole Holcomb has officially returned to Steelers training camp, marking a crucial step in a journey few thought possible just months ago. After sustaining a severe knee injury last season that some believed could end his career, Holcomb has defied the odds — and expectations — with a determined comeback.

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The injury, suffered midseason in 2023, was more than just a setback. It was a career-threatening blow. Medical experts speculated his days in the NFL could be numbered, but the 27-year-old linebacker never accepted that fate. While the rest of the league moved forward, Holcomb quietly fought his own battle in the background — through rehab, mental recovery, and relentless conditioning.

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Now back in pads and participating in drills at Latrobe, Holcomb isn’t just returning as depth on the roster. He’s aiming to reclaim his starting role and contribute to a defense already loaded with playmakers like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. His presence, once uncertain, is now a boost to the linebacker unit that had to adapt without him.

Steelers place linebacker Cole Holcomb on injured reserve, active Anthony  McFarland Jr. | AP News

Coaches and teammates alike have praised his resilience. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin called his comeback “inspirational,” while players note Holcomb’s work ethic has only intensified since the injury. Fans, too, are taking notice — not just because he's back, but because of what his return represents: grit, perseverance, and the heart of a true Steeler.

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While it remains to be seen how Holcomb’s body responds to full-speed action over the course of training camp, his story is already one of the summer’s most compelling. And if he stays healthy, his comeback could be a game-changer for Pittsburgh’s 2025 defensive campaign.

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side