Cole

Holcomb

Holcomb suffered a devastating knee injury in Week 9 of last season, ending his 2023 campaign. It’s no surprise to see him open camp on the PUP list, given the nature of his injury, but we don’t have a firm timeline on when we can expect him to return. Speaking earlier in the week, head coach Mike Tomlin said he thinks Holcomb will participate in camp sooner than later, leaving the door open for a return in a few weeks. In addition to Holcomb, the Steelers also placed EDGE Dean Lowry, whose 2023 was ended by a pectoral injury.

Holcomb suffered a gruesome knee injury in the Steelers’ Week 9 win over the Steelers after colliding with a teammate in the middle of the field. The veteran linebacker was kept in a hospital over night out of precaution, but has since been discharged. He’ll undergo surgery in the coming days, but his 2023 season is officially over after eight games. A free agent signing by the Steelers earlier this offseason, Holcomb has totaled 54 tackles, four TFLs, and two forced fumbles and will be sorely missed as a leader of the defense.

Holcomb appeared to collide with a teammate while attempted to make a tackle on Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins over the middle of the field. The injury was of the “let’s not show that again” variety, meaning Holcomb is likely looking at an extended absence.

Holcomb, 26, has started 48 games for Washington over the past four seasons. His career year came in 2021, when Holcomb recorded 145 tackles. He has 4.5 sacks in his NFL career and will join a Steelers defensive making free agency moves to improve for 2023 and beyond.

The Commanders come into this game with a relatively healthy roster. Nothing too surprising to see here, as all key fantasy assets appear good to go against the Texans

Holcomb (6’1/234) arrived at UNC as a walk-on and went on to start 34 games, leading the Tar Heels in tackles in each of his final three seasons and graduating with 15.5 career tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. He was a second-team All-ACC pick as a senior. Snubbed for a Combine invite, Holcomb put himself squarely on the NFL’s draft radar with a 4.48 forty and highly explosive 11-foot broad jump at UNC’s Pro Day. Holcomb’s floor is a gung-ho special teamer with a chance to develop into a three-down linebacker based on his instincts, sure tackling, and elite athleticism.

Holcomb (6’1/234) arrived at UNC as a walk-on and went on to start 34 games, leading the Tar Heels in tackles in each of his final three seasons and graduating with 15.5 career tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. He was a second-team All-ACC pick as a senior. Snubbed for a Combine invite, Holcomb put himself squarely on the NFL’s draft radar with a 4.48 forty and highly explosive 11-foot broad jump at UNC’s Pro Day. Holcomb’s floor is a gung-ho special teamer with a chance to develop into a three-down linebacker based on his instincts, sure tackling, and elite athleticism.

Miller notes that the 6-foot-1, 234-pound Holcomb will need to bulk up for next-level play and that his less-than-sharp work in coverage is going to be an issue for his pro development. While none of this may sound particularly appealing, the analyst is keen on Holcomb’s “instincts and energy” and believes that if nothing else, he should be able to find work as a special teams cog after the draft.

Unfortunately, the NFL will not be releasing results from the regional combine, so take the following number as a loose guide to what Holcomb’s day looked like. Per Serritella, he weighed in at 6-foot-1, 234 pounds with an arm length of 31 5/8 inches and a hand size of 10 1/4 inches, then proceeded to run the 40 in what one scout who spoke with the analyst timed at 4.54/4.54 seconds. Another scout had it at 4.57 seconds. Holcomb also turned in a slick vertical jump of 39.5 inches. Serittella describes the UNC product as "[o]ne of the better off-ball backers in this year’s draft class” and “very underrated.” If Holcomb is to find a pro home during the draft proper, that would happen at some point on Day 3. He remains a potential UDFA candidate even with Saturday’s respectable testing results.

Trainer Tony Villani vouched for Holcomb who he believes will test as well as anyone “he has ever trained.” While most trainers likely would say the same thing, Villani has a great track record by training NFL players S Eric Berry, LB LaVonte David, WR Pierre Garcon, and DL Corey Liuget. If Holcomb performs how Villani believes at his Pro Day, Holcomb could be on the draft radar after finishing fifth in the ACC in tackles per game.