Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Upgrades to full Thursday
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Highsmith (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Highsmith was limited Wednesday, but Thursday's full participation suggests Pittsburgh's Week 5 bye provided enough time for Highsmith to recover from an ankle injury that had sidelined him since Week 2. He's set to reprise his usual role Sunday against the Browns as a key piece of Pittsburgh's pass rush, having recorded at least 6.0 sacks in each of the previous four seasons, including 14.5 in 2022.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Won't play vs. Vikings
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Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Highsmith (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game versus Minnesota, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith will have to sit out at least one more game as he continues to recover from the high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2 versus the Seahawks. His next opportunity to suit up will come in Week 6 versus the Browns. In the meantime, 2023 fourth-rounder Nick Herbig projects to start on the edge opposite T.J. Watt.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Won't play against New England
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Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Highsmith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Highsmith suffered a high ankle sprain during the Steelers' 31-17 loss to the Seahawks this past Sunday. High ankle sprains typically mean a multiweek absence, though it appears Highsmith's injury isn't that severe, as Tomlin relayed Monday that the 2020 third-rounder is not expected to spend time on injured reserve, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nick Herbig will likely step into a starting role opposite T.J. Watt, and Jack Sawyer should see an uptick in defensive snaps in a rotational edge role for as long as Highsmith is sidelined. Highsmith's next opportunity to suit up is Week 4 against the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 28.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Likely avoiding IR
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Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Monday that Highsmith (ankle) is not likely to be placed on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The 28-year-old exited Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with what Tomlin described as a high-ankle sprain, but it now appears the injury isn't as serious as it was previously considered. Highsmith played 10 defensive snaps and recorded one total tackle before leaving the Week 2 affair. Even so, he's unlikely to suit up for Pittsburgh's Week 3 matchup against the Patriots, meaning Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig are expected to have expanded defensive roles.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Facing stint on IR
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Highsmith suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Steelers' 31-17 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rapoport relays that the injury could take 4-to-6 weeks to recover from, which makes a stint on injured reserve a real possibility for Highsmith. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer both saw increased work following Highsmith's injury and are candidates to start opposite T.J. Watt at outside linebacker in the Steelers' Week 3 clash against the Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 21.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Won't return Sunday
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Highsmith (ankle) is out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
The linebacker made one solo tackle before exiting. Highsmith finished with eight tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Week 1. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer could see more snaps in his absence.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Unlikely to return vs. Seattle
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Highsmith is doubtful to return to Sunday's game aginst the Seahawks due to an ankle injury, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Highsmith popped up on Friday's injury report due to an ankle injury, and it appears he may have aggravated the issue in the first half of Sunday's contest. With Highsmith likely done for the day, Nick Herbig should see a significant amount of work with the first-team defense opposite T.J. Watt.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Back at practice
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Highsmith (groin) returned to practice Tuesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Highsmith was injured in practice a little over two weeks ago but was back on the field Tuesday, giving him plenty of time to get ready for the start of the regular season Sept. 7 against the Jets. Highsmith appeared in just 11 regular-season games last year, finishing with 45 tackles (28 solo), including 6.0 sacks, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Will miss next few days
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Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Highsmith will be sidelined for a few days while he works through a groin injury, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive reports.
Highsmith suffered the injury during Sunday's practice, and given Tomlin's comments, it seems unlikely that the linebacker will be available for the Steelers' preseason opener against the Jaguars on Saturday. Pittsburgh won't rush Highsmith to return given its training camp, which will give Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer and DeMarvin Leal more opportunities to work with the first-team defense.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Eight tackles, one sack in defeat
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Highsmith recorded eight tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, in the Steelers' loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Highsmith's eight tackles marked a new season high, and he's now logged one sack in back-to-back games since returning from a three-game absence. On the year, Highsmith is up to 30 tackles (19 solo), including 5.0 sacks, and 13 QB hits through eight appearances.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Picks up sack in win
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Highsmith recorded three tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks and an additional tackle for a loss, in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns.
The linebacker returned with a strong game after missing the previous three contests due to an ankle injury. Highsmith now has 22 tackles (13 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and a pass breakup in 2024.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Logs full practice Thursday
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Highsmith (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith missed the Steelers' last three games due to an ankle injury. He started the week out with a limited session Wednesday, but he was a full participant in Thursday's practice and mentioned afterwards that his ankle is "feeling so much better." Highsmith's return for Sunday's game against the Browns bolsters an already elite edge rushing corps of T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and Preston Smith.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Still sidelined
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Highsmith (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith is set to miss his third straight contest and sixth game of the campaign. Nick Herbig will step into an expanded role and has seven total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, across the last two games.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Unlikely to play vs. Cincinnati
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Highsmith (ankle) was a limited participant in Friday's practice but is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith was able to finish the week with consecutive limited practice sessions, but it appears he will miss his third straight game due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Commanders in Week 10. If Highsmith is indeed ruled out for Sunday's game, Nick Herbig would likely serve as the Steelers' second starting outside linebacker opposite T.J. Watt, and Preston Smith would see an uptick in defensive snaps in a rotational role.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Upgrades to limited practice
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Highsmith (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Highsmith was estimated as a DNP for Wednesday's walkthrough, so his LP estimation Thursday is a step in the right direction. The veteran pass rusher is looking to return from a two-game absence caused by an ankle injury he suffered in Week 10 against Washington. If Highsmith can't play Sunday, Nick Herbig will likely continue to garner increased defensive snaps.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Officially ruled out
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Highsmith (ankle) will not play Thursday against the Browns, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Highsmith will miss a second consecutive contest after suffering the injury in Week 10. With the Charlotte product's absence, Nick Herbig should be in line for a considerable role once again.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Injures ankle in Week 10 win
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Highsmith injured his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 28-27 win over the Commanders, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Highsmith was spotted on crutches following Sunday's win after suffering an ankle injury, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. Highsmith will undergo further testing on his ankle, though it looks like he is in serious jeopardy of missing the Steelers' Week 11 contest against the Ravens. If that were to be the case, Nick Herbig or the newly acquired Preston Smith would get the start at outside linebacker opposite T.J. Watt.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Ruled out for Week 6
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Coach Mike Tomlin said Highsmith (groin) will not play in Sunday's Week 6 game against the Raiders, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith will miss his third consecutive game, and with Nick Herbig (hamstring) injured in Week 5 and now ruled out against the Raiders, the Steelers are scraping for edge depth. Jeremiah Moon is next up in line opposite T.J. Watt.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Remains out
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Highsmith (groin) will not play Sunday against the Cowboys, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith suffered the injury in Week 3 against the Chargers and was expected to miss multiple weeks. So his absence Week 4, and now in Week 5, isn't entirely unexpected. Nick Herbig should continue taking on a larger role when the Steelers travel to Dallas on Sunday.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Out for at least Week 4
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Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Highsmith (groin) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith was forced out early during Pittsburgh's win over the Chargers in Week 3 due to a groin injury. Though Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com relays that Highsmith isn't expected to require surgery, the edge rusher's absence will likely span multiple weeks. Nick Herbig should be in line for a starting role opposite T.J. Watt until Highsmith is able to get back on the field.
