The first defensive snaps of Trenton Thompson’s NFL career came with the game on the line in the final minute of a one-possession game.

Having been through that last week, Thompson is taking it in stride that he will see an increased role from the beginning of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next game.

With first-team safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal ailing, Thompson is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Thompson, who remains on the Steelers’ practice squad to this point, had one prior regular-season game (12 special-teams snaps on Nov. 24, 2022, for the New York Giants) in his NFL career before his late appearance during this past Sunday’s Steelers win against the Green Bay Packers.

“Once I heard I was getting in (during the final minute Sunday), I was very antsy to get in there and make a play,” Thompson said after practice Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “But I wouldn’t say I was nervous or scared; it’s just football.

“And the same thing for this week, I have an opportunity to actually start. I just tell myself, ‘It’s football.’ It doesn’t really matter what it is, starter or just getting thrown into the mix, I think I will be all right.”

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Fitzpatrick, a perennial All Pro, has missed the past two games because of a hamstring injury. Neal suffered a rib injury late in the Packers game; when he was unavailable for the final drive, Thompson was called upon to come in. Neither practiced Thursday, per the league-mandated injury report.

With the Steelers down to only co-starter Damontae Kazee, special-teams captain Miles Killebrew and utility-man DB Elijah Riley as safeties on the 53-man active roster, it appears they will turn to the rangy, 6-foot-1, 196-pound Thompson to start next to Kazee for Sunday’s AFC North showdown in Cleveland.

“I don’t sense nervousness,” Thompson said. “I am more of a calm, collected-type of football player. I wouldn’t say I am nervous at all.”

Thompson was an all-Mountain West performer for San Diego State as a sixth-year senior in 2021. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants and spent most of his rookie season on their practice squad aside from the brief appearance.

But the Giants released him on the onset of their training camp this summer. The Steelers picked him up early during their stay at Saint Vincent College, and Thompson was a playmaker during practices in Unity Township.

Thompson said he’s ready to play a significant role in an NFL game for the first time.

“I consider myself a person who thinks a lot, so I won’t cluster or flutter myself with too much,” he said. “Whatever I see or whatever sticks with me is what I will go with. I won’t go back and try to find something new, or put something in my toolbox in this game to help me out, because then I will be out there thinking too much and I won’t be to play like a football player.”

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