The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially parted ways with cornerback Cory Trice, waiving the 2023 seventh-round pick with a failed physical designation on Tuesday, as reported by ESPN's Brooke Pryor. It's a move that, while unfortunate, feels like a long time coming for a player whose NFL career has been derailed by persistent injury issues.

Drafted out of Purdue in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Trice, now 25, was a promising talent who simply couldn't stay on the field. Over three seasons with the Steelers, he managed to appear in just six games—all during the 2024 campaign—due to a recurring cycle of knee and hamstring problems. When he did suit up, he showed flashes of potential, recording one interception, two passes defensed, and 21 total tackles.

That lone interception came in a memorable moment during the 2024 season, picking off rookie quarterback Bo Nix in a win over the Denver Broncos. It was a glimpse of the playmaker Pittsburgh hoped they were getting, but his body never allowed that promise to fully blossom. Trice's failed physical this offseason casts serious doubt on his immediate future in the league, though it's likely he'll explore opportunities to continue his career elsewhere.

For the Steelers, this decision underscores the harsh reality of the NFL: talent alone isn't enough if availability isn't there. Trice proved capable when healthy, but three seasons of injury setbacks ultimately forced Pittsburgh to move on. It's a tough break for a player who showed he could compete at this level—but sometimes, the game just doesn't cooperate.