Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Unlikely to play vs. Chicago
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Highsmith (pectoral) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bears, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Highsmith ended the week with back-to-back limited practices, and while there was optimism he could return from a one-game absence, his doubtful tag means he's facing an uphill battle to play Sunday. Highsmith's absence would mean that Nick Herbig and rookie fourth-rounder Jack Sawyer would be slated for more edge-rusher snaps on defense opposite T.J. Watt.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Optimistic after limited practice
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Highsmith (pectoral) was listed as a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Highsmith's making progress after missing Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Bengals and subsequently being listed as a non-participant at Wednesday's practice. Per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Highsmith said after practice Thursday that he's progressing well in his recovery and feels optimistic about his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Bears.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Misses practice Wednesday
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Highsmith (pectoral) did not practice Wednesday.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Highsmith was expected to be a limited participant in practice this week, but Wednesday wasn't that day for the edge rusher. Highsmith missed last Sunday's win over the Bengals, and his status for Week 12 against the Bears appears to also be in question.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Logs two sacks against Bolts
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Highsmith finished Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers with 2.0 sacks.
Highsmith was responsible for two of the Steelers' five sacks on Justin Herbert on Sunday, both of which came in the third quarter. Highsmith has recorded 2.0 sacks in each of his last two games, and his 5.5 sacks on the season is tied with Nick Herbig for second most on the Steelers behind T.J. Watt (6.0).
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Ankle injury pops back up
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Highsmith (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Highsmith had a big performance in Sunday's win over the Colts, logging 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. However, he was sidelined to begin the week of preparation for a Week 10 matchup against the Chargers. Highsmith missed two games earlier in the season with an ankle issue, so it's possible the injury was aggravated, or he could simply be getting a veteran's day off.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Sacks Jones twice Week 9
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Highsmith recorded four tackles (three solo), including 2.0 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble during the Steelers' 27-20 win over the Colts on Sunday.
Both of Highsmith's sacks came in the second half, with the latter resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Derrick Harmon and led to a Chris Boswell 46-yard field goal six plays later in the fourth quarter. Highsmith is now up to 3.5 sacks over six regular-season games, which is tied with Keeanu Benton for third most on the Steelers behind T.J. Watt (5.0) and Nick Herbig (4.5).
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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 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: 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: 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.
