First Steelers injury report for Week 4 presents opportunities for unproven players

The Steelers will gladly take the win in Week 3 against the LA Chargers, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows for Pittsburgh entering Week 4. Their home opener against Los Angeles proved to be a knockout brawl, with both teams losing pivotal players to injuries.

Now the Steelers are preparing for a road contest against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. This will be Pittsburgh's third road game in September and advancing to 4-0 on the season would give them a remarkable leg up on the competition in the AFC North that nobody saw coming.

Unfortunately, not everyone will be suiting up for this AFC showdown in Indy. On September 24, Mike Tomlin spoke to the media and read a laundry list of injuries heading into Week 4.

Tomlin confirmed that outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), cornerback Cory Trice (hamstring), and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) have already been ruled out for this contest. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren (knee) and Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) have a chance to see the practice field this week.

Once again, quarterback Russell Wilson, who has dealt with a calf injury since the beginning of training camp, will be limited at practice this week.

Unproven Steelers must step up to the plate in Week 4

One injury loss this week looms larger than the rest. Alex Highsmith is one of the best and most consistent players on the team, but the groin injury he sustained will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

His departure means the Steelers will rely on impressive second-year standout Nick Herbig to fill the void. Herbig is coming off a career performance in limited action in Week 3, which included two sacks, three pressures, and a forced fumble on just 19 total defensive snaps.

Herbig isn't the only unproven player who will hear his name called in Week 4 against the Colts. With Cory Trice out, Darius Rush is likely to earn a helmet on Sunday. Rush could serve as a special teams gunner while contributing as a dime defender on defense.

If not Rush, the Steelers could deploy 2018 first-round pick Terrell Edmunds, who fell out of favor with multiple teams after leaving Pittsburgh in free agency during the 2023 offseason. Edmunds' size and athletic ability could be just what the doctor ordered to help the Steelers on special teams while offering depth in the secondary. It's unlikely both Edmunds and Rush earn a hat on game day.

With MyCole Pruitt out this week, reserve tight end Rodney Williams is expected to get another look. Williams recorded just two offensive snaps in Week 3 against the Chargers.

On the offensive line, the Steelers may be forced to rely on Spencer Anderson for another week as Isaac Seumalo works his way back from a pectoral injury. Rookie guard Mason McCormick also got some work in Week 3 and could see the field against the Colts on Sunday.

The first Steelers injury report was less than encouraging, but Mike Tomlin will have to find a way to make do without Alex Highsmith and several notable contributors. Let's hope the young, unproven players on the roster are ready to step up to the plate in Week 4.