Nick Herbig Starts For Steelers, Makes Instant Impact
In his return from a hamstring injury suffered against Dallas in Week 5, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig is making his third career start as his team squares off against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon.
Herbig wasted no time in making an impact, forcing a Derrick Henry fumble on the second snap of the contest. Henry hadn’t fumbled the ball since 2022.
Herbig started that game against the Cowboys and also the Steelers’ matchup with Indianapolis earlier this year. The Steelers turn to him again as Alex Highsmith misses his third game of the season, nursing a low ankle sprain suffered in last week’s road win over the Washington Commanders.
The Steelers drafted Herbig in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Herbig led the NFL with 3.5 sacks in this year’s preseason. In games that count, he’s totaled 35 tackles and 5.5 sacks through his first 22 career games. He has 2.5 sacks this go-round.
Herbig returned to practice earlier this week. He’s back in game action for the first time since Oct. 6, coincidentally the last time the Steelers lost. A win against the Ravens would mean an 8-2 record and an AFC North division lead.
Rushing Lamar Jackson from the other side of the defensive line is four-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro T.J. Watt, who had one of the quieter games his pro tenure last week against the Commanders. He’s aiming to add to his total of 6.5 sacks this season.
The Steelers’ decision to acquire veteran Preston Smith at the trade deadline has also turned out to be a wise one. He provides depth opposite Watt. Smith, celebrating his 32nd birthday on Sunday, was acquired from the Green Bay Packers at the trade deadline.
Smith notched a sack and three combined tackles in a 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders last Sunday. Along with suiting up for the Steelers for the first time, Smith was making his return to the stadium he called home for four years after being drafted by Washington in the second round in 2015. He has 69.5 career sacks.
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