Steelers Get OLB Alex Highsmith Back at Practice

PITTSBURGH — Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith returned to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, providing hope that their logjam of injuries at that position might be short-lived.

Highsmith said that he worked only in individual periods of practice on Thursday, not team work. He said he’s feeling good — actually too good — but is still targeting next week’s game against the New York Jets for a return.

This is the second time that Highsmith has injured his groin this season. The first came in the preseason and the second game during the team’s Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, when he left just before the half.

Soft tissue injuries are easy to aggravate, and Highsmith having already re-injured this one once means that even though he feels good, he’s going to have to wait this one out.

“As a competitor, it’s frustrating,” Highsmith said.

That means that Highsmith, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal will all miss this week’s game. Herbig (ankle) and Leal (stinger) have not been practicing. The Steelers will likely turn to Jeremiah Moon to start opposite T.J. Watt, with a combination of Ade Ogundeji and Eku Leota providing depth.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT