Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers LB Alex Highsmith Expects to Return vs. Browns: ‘The Plan Is To Go’
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith plans to make his long-awaited return from his ankle injury in Week 14 vs. the Browns.
PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith has been sidelined since suffering a low ankle sprain in the team’s Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders, but he expects to make his long-awaited return this week against the Cleveland Browns.
On Wednesday, Highsmith revealed his return has not happened as quickly as he hoped since he injured his left ankle, but that the time has finally come.
“It’s really a mental thing at this point just because I got to trust it, especially it being that ankle that’s the side I primarily play,” Highsmith said. “It’s feeling better, so the plan is to go this weekend. I just got to continue to get better throughout the week.”
It remains to be seen how many snaps Highsmith will get in his first game back, but the Steelers will need him to take advantage of whatever playing time he gets with a rematch with the Browns on deck.
The two teams met less than two weeks ago and the Browns were able to escape with the 24-19 win. A big reason why was the impressive play by quarterback Jameis Winston, who has regained his gunslinger form while throwing for 1,680 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions the past five weeks.
“We just got to continue to get after him,” Highsmith said. “He throws it a lot and he’s a heck of a talent. There’s a reason he was the first pick in the draft. We just got to get after him.”
Highsmith’s job will be to help minimize Winston’s big-play ability, and one way the Steelers can do that is by utilizing three outside linebacker packages.
Highsmith and fellow linebackers T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig have rarely been healthy all at once, but that seems to finally be the case this week, and it has Highsmith excited.
“By doing that, it throws different looks at the offensive line,” Highsmith said, “Because so often, our film has just been us on the same side.”
The Steelers will also be back in the comforts of Acrisure Stadium this time around. Highsmith doesn’t expect anything less from their divisional rival on Sunday, though.
“It’s just AFC North ball. It’s a different intensity playing in these games,” Highsmith said. “When I’m out there this week, I just want to do what I can to help my team win. That’s what matters most.”
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