Steelers LB Cole Holcomb Returns From Injury Ahead of 2025 Training Camp

Pittsburgh, PA – June 25, 2025

A key figure in Pittsburgh’s defense has officially been cleared for a full return, and the timing couldn’t be better. After months of uncertainty and grueling rehab, the Steelers’ heart-and-soul linebacker is back — ready to reignite the fire on defense at Saint Vincent College.

The player, who suffered a devastating knee injury midway through the 2023 season, missed the remainder of that campaign and sat out the entire 2024 season as he recovered. His absence was deeply felt in both leadership and production, especially with the Steelers’ front seven struggling to maintain its usual dominance.

That player is Cole Holcomb, the tenacious linebacker whose energy, football IQ, and physicality made him a fan favorite before injury struck. Holcomb, now fully cleared for football activities, wasted no time setting the tone. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he said after the team’s announcement. “My body’s right, my mind’s locked in — and I’m ready to lead this defense the way Steelers football is meant to be played.”

Holcomb joined the Steelers in 2023 after a strong stint with Washington, where he started 48 games and racked up over 380 tackles. In Pittsburgh, he quickly became a defensive signal-caller and one of Mike Tomlin’s most trusted voices on the field. But in Week 8 of 2023, a knee injury sidelined him indefinitely — and for a time, his football future was in question.

“There were dark days,” Holcomb admitted. “But I had great people around me, and I never lost sight of the goal — to come back stronger.” His return brings much-needed experience to a linebacker corps in transition, especially with new faces rotating through the depth chart.

Coaches have praised his recovery. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin noted: “Cole looks sharp. He’s moving with confidence, and his leadership is exactly what we need right now.” According to training camp observers, Holcomb’s movement, tackling drills, and coverage reads show no sign of rust — only hunger.

The Steelers head into the 2025 season aiming to reclaim playoff success after back-to-back early exits. With a retooled offense led by Russell Wilson and young playmakers on defense, Holcomb’s return adds not just stability but urgency.

“This is our year,” Holcomb said with conviction. “I didn’t come back just to compete. I came back to win. I came back for Pittsburgh.”

His comeback isn’t just about health — it’s about heart, and for Steeler Nation, that may be the most powerful weapon of all. Stay tuned to ESPN.