The Pittsburgh Steelers and their fan base collectively held their breath on Sunday in Washington as they watched pass rusher Alex Highsmith go down and in visible pain after sacking Jayden Daniels. Highsmith immediately held his lower leg, and replays showed a nasty bend in the joint as he was taking Daniels to the ground.

After the game Mike Tomlin said further evaluation would be necessary, and Highsmith was seen on crutches following the game in the Steelers locker room. Monday, after tests were done, it is being reported by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the team got good news on Highsmith’s injury.

While an MRI is still necessary, the organization is expecting him to miss 2-3 games with the ankle injury. This per Dulac:

Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith having MRI today to determine extent of his ankle injury. Likely out 2-3 games. But Nick Herbig due back Sunday

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) November 11, 2024

If Highsmith were to miss the next three games, he would miss the following:

• Week 11: vs. Baltimore
• Week 12: at Cleveland
• Week 13: at Cincinnati

It would be a tough stretch of games to miss, but would be better than being told his season is over. Unfortunately, the injury plagued season for Highsmith continues.

But while the team got good news on Highsmith, it also looks like reinforcements could be on their way in the form of Nick Herbig. Herbig was ruled out of the Week 10 game in Washington, and if he is indeed good-to-go vs. the Ravens it was likely for precautionary reasons. If Herbig is able to return, he and newly signed Preston Smith would help ease the burden of missing Highsmith for any duration of time.

Other players who were banged up in the game vs. the Commanders were:

• Najee Harris (ankle)
• Broderick Jones (ankle)
• Donte Jackson (hamstring)

Of those three, only Jackson was unable to return to the game, and James Pierre stepped in to play outside cornerback in his absence. Outside of those injuries, Tomlin labeled all others as “bumps and bruises associated with football”.

Mike Tomlin is slated to meet with the media Tuesday, per usual, and will update the team’s injury status as they turn their attention away from the 28-27 win over the Commanders and look ahead to their first divisional game vs. the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team as they prepare for Week 11.

UPDATE:

The prior Dulac tweet has since been deleted, and replaced with this one. Still an optimistic lens, but awaiting results of the MRI.

Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith having MRI today to determine extent of his ankle injury. Not known how long he will be out, tho probably at least a couple games. But Nick Herbig is expected back Sunday

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) November 11, 2024