Doneiko Slaughter
Doneiko Slaughter
The Pittsburgh Steelers have elevated cornerback Doneiko Slaughter ahead of Sunday’s regular-season opener at Acrisure Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons. The team announced the move Saturday afternoon.
We have elevated DB Doneiko Slaughter to the Active/Inactive Roster from the Practice Squad. @BordasLaw https://t.co/p7UGWRcdsW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 12, 2026
Slaughter, who signed a Reserve/Futures contract back in January, was a standout during training camp and the preseason, flashing his abilities in the slot. With Joey Porter Jr. listed as questionable entering the Week 1 matchup with a back injury and awaiting a contract extension, the Steelers are playing it safe at the cornerback position with the elevation of Slaughter, ensuring they have depth at the position.
Though he was cut at part of final roster cuts, the Steelers moved quickly to add Slaughter to the practice squad, keeping the long, physical cornerback in the mix after he impressed in the summer. Slaughter played 104 snaps for the Steelers in the preseason, grading out at a 62.4 overall from Pro Football Focus.
He allowed eight receptions on 10 targets for 76 yards, breaking up one pass. He played 29 snaps in the slot and 68 snaps as a boundary corner in the preseason.
The Arkansas standout that was an undrafted free agent of Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025 and spent time with the team before landing in Pittsburgh in January. He was largely an afterthought entering training camp, but with Jalen Ramsey and Porter landing on Active/PUP to open training camp, he took advantage of increased snaps, impressing head coach Mike McCarthy I the process.
Now, he has a chance to dress on Sunday in the season opener, depending on Porter’s injury situation and contract development. Slaughter also played 18 snaps on special teams in the preseason, giving him some versatility that the Steelers can rely on against the Falcons.