The Pittsburgh Steelers keep seeing defensive players head to the blue medical tent without later returning to the field. Earlier in the game, the Steelers saw Isaiahh Loudermilk, who was already filling in for Derrick Harmon, leave the game. Now, an even bigger piece to the equation has left the contest: Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith left the game with an ankle injury in the first half and was designated as doubtful to return. The fifth-year veteran dealt with a hamstring injury during the preseason, but was able to return for the season opener and picked up a sack against the New York Jets.
Nonetheless, the Steelers’ defense is still coming off a rocky performance in Week 1 and needed guys like Highsmith on the field to get right. Now it’s more likely than not they’ll continue on through Week 2 without him.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' thin depth chart forces young players into larger roles
Luckily, Pittsburgh got Nick Herbig back in the lineup as he returns from his own preseason hamstring injury. Still, the Steelers would have liked to ease him back in off the soft tissue injury. That won’t be the case due to the circumstances.
Still, Herbig’s presence takes some pressure off of rookie fourth-rounder Jack Sawyer. The Ohio State product struggled in Week 1 while rotating in for T.J. Watt and Highsmith last week. But the rookie will continue to be baptised by fire without Highsmith in the lineup.
Of course, Highmisth’s injury brings concern to the Steelers’ pass rush, which hasn’t brought the same heat so far in the young season as Steelers fans are accustomed to. Without Highsmith on the field, the Seahawks will be able to pay more attention to Watt, who hasn’t been lining up in different spots as fans may have hoped.
Looming even a bit large is the impact on the ground game. The Steelers are now down to reliable veterans in the front seven after giving up 182 yards to the Jets in the season opener. Through the first half, the Seahawks haven’t had the success on the ground they had hoped for after a dominant performance in the preseason via the running game. Herbig and Sawyer will have to fight off the wear and tear of extra snaps to stay impactful.
We’ll continue to monitor Highsmith’s status as more information becomes available.