Versatile defensive back Cory Trice was activated off of the injured reserve list Thursday, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers another piece for their secondary for the stretch run.
A 6-foot-3, 206-pound cornerback in college, Trice had played snaps as a dime, in-the-box safety, at outside corner, slot corner and even free safety during his first NFL regular-season action in September. A seventh-round pick in 2023 who missed all of his rookie season because of a torn ACL suffered in training camp, Trice has not played since Week 3 because of a hamstring injury.
Thursday marked 21 days since Trice had been cleared to return to practice, meaning that by rule he had to be activated Thursday or he would be out for the rest of the season. The Steelers waived reserve running back Jonathan Ward on Wednesday to create the roster space.
Trice joins a secondary that regularly plays seven defensive backs. Trice also has experience on special teams.