The New England Patriots will be without starting cornerback Carlton Davis III when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the Patriots downgraded Davis to out for Sunday's road matchup against Pittsburgh. New England will now have to adjust its secondary as it attempts to earn its first victory of the season.

“Saturday injury news:
— #Patriots CB Carlton Davis III has been downgraded to out vs the #Steelers,” Rapoport wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Davis' absence removes an experienced piece from New England's defense against a Steelers team coming off a 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

The 29-year-old cornerback joined New England after spending the 2025 season with the Detroit Lions. Davis previously spent his first six NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping the organization win Super Bowl 55 during the 2020 season.

The Patriots enter Week 2 looking to rebound from a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Wednesday in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. New England fell to 0-1 after coming up short against Seattle, while Pittsburgh will attempt to improve to 2-0 after beginning its season with a road victory over Atlanta.

New England's secondary depth will be tested without Davis available against Pittsburgh's passing attack.

The Patriots and Steelers will kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.