The Steelers have been particularly snake-bitten at outside linebacker. In Week 3, Alex Highsmith left the game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a groin injury and has been unavailable since.
In his place, Nick Herbig looked to step up, but in Week 5 he suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the lineup. In the same week, DeMarvin Leal was lost for the season with a neck injury, decimating the depth at outside for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has had to turn to Jeremiah Moon and Ade Ogundeji to step up in relief. The drop-off didn't totally cripple the defense, though TJ Watt did go without a sack last week against the Raiders for the first time this season.
Needing an effective pass rush against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, the Steelers would welcome a return of their elite edge defender.
Alex Highsmith Returns to the Steelers Defensive Lineup
Luckily, the Steelers will get that significant piece back for their defense as Highsmith has been cleared to play against the Jets.
After just 10 quarters of play to start the season, Highsmith logged 11 tackles and a single sack. He'll look to utilize his spin move to help out with the Steelers pass rush. A quality speed rush will no doubt be valuable against Aaron Rodgers, a wiley veteran who gets the ball out with historical quickness.
Even with Highsmith back in the lineup, there is still some concern about depth at the position. Moon and Ogundeji figure to be the reserve options on the edge assuming Ogundeji is elevated from the practice squad.