Pittsburgh Steelers are still riding the high of an impressive Week 10 road win over the Washington Commanders. Now the test continues as Mike Tomlin's team prepares to host a Baltimore Ravens team that currently claims the league's top-scoring offense and MVP frontrunner, Lamar Jackson.
While Pittsburgh is on track for a few injured players to return to the team, one significant defender will miss multiple weeks. Meanwhile, Mike Tomlin takes a jab at a former leading receiver. Here's the latest Steelers news.
Alex Highsmith expected to miss 2-3 weeks
Late in the fourth quarter against the Commanders, edge rusher Alex Highsmith went down with a lower leg injury and needed to be helped off the field by trainers. On November 12, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports Highsmith is in a walking boot and will miss 'a couple weeks' due to the injury.
During Mike Tomlin's Tuesday press conference, the Steelers head coach confirmed that Highsmith is out this week against the Ravens and that he is labeled 'week-to-week' with the injury.
Mike Tomlin says Alex Highsmith is OUT this week vs. Ravens, says he's "week-to-week"
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 12, 2024
"Makes it even cooler that we have a guy like Preston Smith under those circumstances."
Tomlin says he expects Nick Herbig to be back this week after being on the "doorstep" last week.
In his absence, Nick Herbig is expected to return from a hamstring injury and slot in at right outside linebacker opposite T.J. Watt. Tomlin also expressed why it's important to have a guy like Preston Smith 'under those circumstances.' Smith will come off the bench for Pittsburgh and is expected to play a bigger role in his second game with his new team.
Mike Tomlin throws shade on Diontae Johnson
In the wake of Pittsburgh's upcoming Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Mike Tomlin was asked about facing former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Tomlin brushed off this matchup and appeared to throw shade on the former Steeler, saying the Ravens have 'more significant pieces with larger roles that occupy my attention.'
HC Mike Tomlin on facing former #Steelers WR Diontae Johnson.
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) November 12, 2024
"I hadn't thought a lot about it. ... They've got more significant pieces with larger roles that occupy my attention."
This appeared to be shade thrown at Johnson. We know the relationship between Diontae and the Steelers didn't end on good terms. Since being traded to the Ravens, Johnson has been extremely quiet -- catching just one pass on two targets for six yards.
While Johnson would love to get his revenge against his former team on Sunday, his role has been minimal at this point. The veteran wide receiver earned a mere five offensive snaps in Week 10 in Baltimore's 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers sign former All-Pro returner to practice squad
The Pittsburgh Steelers made an addition to their practice squad on November 12, signing former All-Pro return man Jamal Agnew, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Source: The #Steelers are signing former All-Pro WR and returner Jamal Agnew to their practice squad, a potentially intriguing option now that he’s healthy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 12, 2024
Agnew, who made First-Team All-Pro as a returner during his rookie season with the Lions in 2017, hasn't taken the field for an NFL game in 2024. Last year with the Jaguars, Agnew averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 26.1 yards per kick return.
Late in the Steelers' contest against the Commanders, wide receiver and punt returner, Calvin Austin III was forced to enter concussion protocol. The decision to sign Agnew could be a proactive move to find a punt returner in the event Austin isn't ready to against the Ravens on Sunday.