The Steelers have nearly a full complement of their offseason roster on the field for OTAs, but one of those unable to participate in the practice portions is inside linebacker Cole Holcomb.

Still recovering from a gruesome left leg injury from Nov. 2 against the Titans at Acrisure Stadium, Holcomb is attacking the rehab with a no-nonsense approach. Just ask him about it.

“It’s going great,” Holcomb insisted Wednesday in the locker room.

Just don’t ask him if he has a target date for when he’ll be cleared to return to football.

“That would be a HIPAA violation,” Holcomb said with a grin.

Wait, can someone violate his or her own HIPAA rights?

“I’m not gonna,” he deadpanned.

Forgive Holcomb if he isn’t feeling all warm and fuzzy. It has been and will be a long road back from the most significant health setback of his career. Needless to say, Holcomb didn’t want to get into the specifics of his diagnosis, but it goes beyond your typical torn ACL, for which the surgery and recovery has become almost routine in the football world.

It still isn’t easy, of course. It’s just that Holcomb is in a bit of a different ballgame, and he understands that.

“It’s been a grind. It’s gonna be a grind. But it’s one of those injuries that all you’ve got to do is just [expletive] work,” Holcomb said. “I can do that. I have no problem doing that. I’ll do whatever I gotta do to get back.”

Spoken like a true linebacker, a throwback type the Steelers thought they were getting when they signed him last March in free agency. And it’s a shame Holcomb went down because he was providing that snarling mentality on top of his production.

Holcomb was well on his way to his third 100-tackle season in the pros, a mark he’s hit every year he’s avoided injury. He also had two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, two pass breakups and four tackles for loss while starting all eight games. But the Steelers have had to make other plans at Holcomb’s position this offseason, signing former Ravens star Patrick Queen to a lucrative deal and drafting Payton Wilson in the third round.

“He’s working to get back to us and is doing a heck of a job” is all head coach Mike Tomlin offered for an update Tuesday on Holcomb when OTAs began.

While most everyone else is healthy now, this is a sport known for having a 100% attrition rate. Holcomb has bonded over this experience with second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr., who has dealt with a broken ankle and torn ACLs in both knees dating to his high school days.

Trice’s most recent torn ACL was last year in training camp, so he was already deep into his rehab when Holcomb joined. They’ve spent a lot of time together since then, “with no choice but to be around each other,” as Trice put it.

“Just seeing him grind, man — he’s grinding every day,” Trice said of Holcomb on Thursday. “He’s taught me so much stuff off the field and on the field. Just learning the playbook better, just learning football with a higher IQ because he plays linebacker. We’ve been picking each other’s brains.”

Putting it all in perspective for Holcomb is that the toughest offseason of his life has also been the best. He and his wife are expecting their first child within the next couple of weeks, a baby girl who might even turn the laser-focused Holcomb into a doting dad. Actually, there’s no “might” about it.

“I do a fairly good job of compartmentalizing work life and home life,” said Holcomb, who turns 28 in July. “But it definitely adds another reason to your why. I’m excited for it, I really am. I think at first, I was a little scared. It’s that excitement but nervous. This individual is gonna rely on us to survive. She’ll soften me up off the field. I’m stoked.”

This is the same guy who walked on at North Carolina, toiled as a special teamer and earned a scholarship by his third season. Then he was snubbed from a combine invite, performed well enough at his pro day to be a fifth-round pick and started as a rookie for Washington.

So, yes, Holcomb is no stranger to overcoming odds. He’s been leaning on his parents and sister, calling them every day with updates, and also acknowledged the great relationship he has with his agent, Christina Phillips.

“I’ve dealt with injuries before,” said Holcomb, who had a knee injury in 2022 and then a foot surgery that ended that season after just seven games. “I’m not at all worried or anything like that. I know I’ll come back and I’ll play football.”