Steelers Get Good News on Alex Highsmith Return, Expect 3 OLB Package vs. Browns

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will get star outside linebacker Alex Highsmith back this week against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday.

Highsmith, who is returning from a low left ankle sprain, was limited in practice on both Thursday and Friday last week and was considered doubtful to play before being ruled out against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Highsmith first suffered the injury late in the Steelers’ Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders, when he stepped awkwardly on the foot of Commanders quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, spraining his ankle. He was quickly ruled out of the Steelers’ Week 11 and 12 games against the Baltimore Ravens  and Cleveland Browns. There was hope that he would be able to return for the Bengals game, but that turned out not to be the case.

With Highsmith out, Nick Herbig made his fifth career start in his place at right outside linebacker, and continued to make an impact. Herbig had a game-breaking strip sack of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, that Payton Wilson returned for a touchdown. Despite his limited role, Herbig has four forced fumbles this season, second only to fellow Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt.

To hear Tomlin tell it, it doesn’t seem like Herbig will be going away any time soon, despite Highsmith getting healthy.

“It’s pretty exciting, isn’t it?” Tomlin said when asked about the possibility of playing all three of them. “We’ll see where the roads lead. You can’t run out of rush men. I’m so excited about the potential of getting Alex Highsmith back and the development of Herbig, the acclimation of Preston (Smith). You can’t run out of rush men and so it’s exciting. Make no mistake, there’s enough work for all parties involved and we’re excited about sorting that out as we prepare.”

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