Injury Return to Wait for Steelers Defensive Star

The injury return will wait another week for Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15, 2024. -- Alan Saunders / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — It does not look like this will be the week for a return from injury for Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Highsmith, who suffered a low sprain in his left ankle against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 10, missed the team’s Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and is not expected to return this Thursday when the Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said that he hadn’t checked in with Highsmith before speaking with the media at noon on Monday, but that he considered the star defensive playmaker “more out than in” for Thursday.

Highsmith, limping through the Steelers locker room, told Steelers Now that he’s targeting a Week 13 return, when the Steelers are set to visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1.

The Steelers probably won’t feel any need to rush Highsmith back as long as his replacement keeps playing at a high level. Nick Herbig stripped the ball from Derrick Henry to open the game and helped blow up the game-sealing two-point conversion late in the Steelers’ 18-16 win over the Ravens.

Steelers 49ers Depth Chart

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT

Player Injury Date  Prognosis Mon Tue Wed Game
DT Keeanu Benton Left knee Nov. 17 Day to day PROB
CB Joey Porter Jr. Shin Nov. 17 Day to day PROB
TE MyCole Pruitt Knee Nov. 13 TBD PROB
OLB Alex Highsmith Left ankle Nov. 10 Week to week DBT
CB Cory Trice Jr. Hamstring Sept. 22 Week to week QUES

STEELERS INJURED RESERVE

Player Injury Date  Prognosis Roster Status
CB C.J. Henderson Neck Nov. 14 Three weeks Injured reserve
DT Montravius Adams Left knee Oct. 18 One weeks Injured reserve
CB Anthony Averett TBD Oct. 17 TBD Practice squad IR
WR Roman Wilson Hamstring Oct. 17 One weeks Injured reserve
DE DeMarvin Leal Neck/stinger Oct. 6 Out for season Injured reserve
RG James Daniels Achilles Sept. 29 Out for season Injured reserve
RT Troy Fautanu R knee dislocation Sept. 20 Regular season Injured reserve
P Cameron Johnston Right knee Sept. 8 Out for season Injured reserve
SS Ryan Watts Neck/stinger Aug. 24 Out for season Injured reserve
DL Logan Lee Calf Aug. 20 Week to week Injured reserve
C Nate Herbig Torn rotator cuff Aug. 14 Out for season Injured reserve
OLB David Perales Left MCL tear July 31 Out for season Injured reserve 
ILB Cole Holcomb Left knee surgery Nov. 2, 2023 Week to week PUP/reserve
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