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One of the most important and versatile players on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense returned to the practice field. Jalen Ramsey was activated off of the physically unable to perform list before Monday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Ramsey, an 11-year veteran defensive back, had been on PUP since the opening of training camp. “It was great having him back, the Ol’ 5,” linebacker Patrick Queen said, referring to Ramsey’s uniform number. “It was kind of a quiet day, first day back. He made a couple plays out there, got the team fired up. Everybody loved having him back. He brings so much tenacity to the defense. Great guy, great leader.” The Steelers listed the 31-year-old as having a knee injury. Ramsey was incredulous when asked if he would be ready to play for the regular-season opener Sept. 13. ”When was that not the case?” Ramsey said of the Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons. “I don’t think the case was ever me not being ready for Week 1. I don’t think anybody said that.” An eight-time Pro Bowl honoree and three-time first-team AP NFL All-Pro, Ramsey joined the Steelers in June 2025 via a trade with the Miami Dolphins. A shutdown cornerback throughout most of his career, Ramsey opened last season in that role on the outside for the Steelers but by midseason moved to safety, in part, because of a spate of injuries at the position. Ramsey is listed on the team’s official 2026 depth chart as the starting nickel/slot corner. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has said he intends to take advantage of Ramsey’s versatility and move him around the defense. Queen said Ramsey lined up at different spots during Monday’s practice. “And we didn’t even do as much (on the first day) as (the coaches) have planned for him,” Queen said. Cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. (back) and Donte Kent (knee) remain on PUP. Speaking Saturday about the challenges of devising a defensive scheme while having Ramsey and Porter — the team’s No. 1 outside cornerback — unavailable for practice, Graham said the Steelers would be able to adjust. “It’s no different than during the season, you trade for somebody (and) they come on a Tuesday, if we’re going to play them (that next Sunday), we’re going to play them,” Graham said. “That’s our job in the game. I always talk about, nobody really feels sorry for us if we have to get it done in four days, three days, two weeks, whatever it is. So, we just accept the challenge. It’s the NFL and it’s not unique to us. That is never unique to us. Thirty-one other teams having to deal with the same thing.”