THE Pittsburgh Steelers have handed a lifeline to a former New England Patriots star.

The defensive player was brutally released on cutdown day by the Patriots in August.

A source confirmed to ESPN that the team has signed Jabrill Peppers.

The Steelers' defence took a major blow in terms of injuries in their opening week win against the New York Jets .

Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that three players left the game with issues.

Linebacker Malik Harrison went down with a knee injury, while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. reported hamstring tightness.

Safety DeShon Elliott also suffered a knee problem.

And Peppers has been drafted in as his replacement.

The 29-year-old is a former first-round draft pick.

He was selected as 29th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland

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