The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have dodged a major injury to their defense in Sunday’s 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders, and could get a significant reinforcement for next week’s AFC North opener against the Baltimore Ravens, as Nick Herbig is set to return from his hamstring injury.
Herbig had been pushing to play against the Commanders, but was not able to get in a full practice last week, so he was held out. The expectation is that Herbig will be a full participant this week and will make his return against the Ravens this Sunday.
Getting Herbig back will be big, because starting right outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is expected to miss the Ravens game and more with an injury suffered late in the win over the Commanders. Highsmith injured his left ankle after rolling it while stepping on the foot of Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels. He is set to miss at least the next two weeks, and possibly more.
Herbig, trade deadline acquisition Preston Smith, and Jeremiah Moon will surround T.J. Watt at the outside linebacker position this week against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game |
| WR Calvin Austin III | TBD | Nov. 10 | TBD | ||||
| RB Najee Harris | Right ankle | Nov. 10 | TBD | ||||
| CB Donte Jackson | Hamstring | Nov. 10 | TBD | ||||
| OLB Alex Highsmith | Left ankle | Nov. 10 | Multiple weeks | ||||
| OLB Nick Herbig | Right hamstring | Oct. 6 | Day to day |
STEELERS INJURED RESERVE
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Roster Status |
| DT Montravius Adams | Knee | Oct. 18 | Two weeks | Injured reserve |
| CB Anthony Averett | TBD | Oct. 17 | TBD | Practice squad IR |
| WR Roman Wilson | Hamstring | Oct. 17 | Two 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 |
| CB Cory Trice Jr. | Hamstring | Sept. 22 | Week to week | 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 |