Desperate times call for desperate measures. Such is the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers' pass rush entering Week 16. As Mike Tomlin's team prepares for a daunting road matchup against the Detroit Lions, the Steelers could be without two of their edge rushers (and best defensive players).
T.J. Watt missed Pittsburgh's Week 15 Monday Night Football contest against the Miami Dolphins after suffering a collapsed lung from a dry-needling session at the team facility. This bizarre injury, which required surgery, could keep him out of action this week, and Tomlin does not have a timetable for Watt's return.
But Watt's absence isn't the only problem the Steelers are facing at outside linebacker.
Halfway through Pittsburgh's win against Miami, Nick Herbig suffered a hamstring injury and was quickly replaced by rookie Jack Sawyer. Herbig missed practice early in the week, and the Steelers' latest roster move could be a bad sign for both Herbig's and Watt's availability this week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers sign Jeremiah Moon from the Carolina Panthers' practice squad
On Wednesday evening, national NFL reporter for CBS Sports Matt Zenitz first reported that the Steelers are set to sign Jeremiah Moon off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. This roster move was later confirmed by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat reporter Gerry Dulac on Thursday morning. After suiting up for eight games with the Ravens in 2023, Moon spent 13 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
However, Moon failed to make his presence felt in 2024. Despite seeing the field for 111 defensive snaps (and 222 special teams snaps), Moon came away with just nine total tackles last season while failing to record a sack or a tackle for a loss.
With Watt and Herbig attempting to work back to full health, the Steelers opted for a familiar face. But the looming addition of Moon doesn't solve Pittsburgh's massive pass rush problems this week.
Assuming Watt and Herbig can't go, the Steelers are looking at an underwhelming edge rusher group of Alex Highsmith, Jack Sawyer, DeMarvin Leal, and Jeremiah Moon.
Of this group, Highsmith is the only player who's proven to be a respectable option at the position. While Sawyer has flashed promise as a rotational edge rusher, he hasn't been able to win against blockers consistently as a rookie. Meanwhile, Sawyer, Leal, and Moon have combined for just one sack in eight combined NFL seasons.
This is not the situation Pittsburgh Steelers fans were hoping for in a pivotal game against a good offense this week, but what choice does this team have? Let's just hope Watt and Herbig can make their way back to the lineup soon.