Tag: Alex Highsmith

Bud Dupree opens up about potential reunion with Mike Tomlin, Steelers

Ex-Steelers EDGE Bud Dupree would love to reunite with Mike Tomlin.

Since the 2021 season, it’s been the T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith Show on the edge of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense.

But a familiar name popped up recently as a guy who would like to return to Pittsburgh: Bud Dupree. If the opportunity presented itself, the free agent would like to give Watt and Highsmith a helping hand.

“For sure,” Dupree said in an interview with Ron Lippock, author of “Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.”

“If the opportunity came up. Definitely. It’s a great organization and Tomlin – he is who he is. The standard is the standard – for sure, I’d go back.”

There were rumblings of a potential reunion last offseason and the Steelers even brought him in for a visit. Instead, Dupree signed on with the Atlanta Falcons, coached then by Steelers new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

In his time away from Pittsburgh, Dupree has logged 13 sacks, 74 tackles (16 for loss), four defended passes, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 25 quarterback hits in 38 games (33 starts).

That sounds like a guy who’d be perfect to rotate in — something we suggested last month. Of course, the Steelers have newcomer Jeremiah Moon and second-year player Nick Herbig, who are also ready to answer the bell.

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Steelers 2024 offseason roster – Linebacker

Here are all the Steelers linebackers currently on the roster heading into the offseason.

Last season the Pittsburgh Steelers had to deal with a mix of highs and lows from the linebacker position. At outside linebacker, T.J. Watt led the league in sacks but as inside linebacker, injuries rocked the depth chart.

Steelers final 2024 stats – Defense

Here is how the Steelers top defenders finished statistically.

Defensively, the Pittsburgh Steelers were an inconsistent, banged-up group in 2023. The unit as a whole endured so many injuries and still figured out a way to be sixth in the NFL in scoring, which is to be applauded. Here is how the player stats broke down for the top defenders from last season.

Bills vs. Steelers: Key matchups to watch in Wild-Card round

#Bills vs. #Steelers: Key matchups to watch in Wild-Card round:

The Buffalo Bills will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their upcoming Wild-Card matchup at Highmark Stadium.

The two teams have been rigorously preparing for the contest throughout the past week. Buffalo (11-6) and Pittsburgh (10-7) will think they know their upcoming opponent, inside and out, after all the practicing and studying they have put in.

Because of that, despite all the off-field talking, speculation and discussion, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference when it comes to the final outcome of this upcoming weekend.

With that, here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Steelers contest:

Steelers LB T.J. Watt clarifies he was cleared on Thursday night

T.J. Watt assured everyone he was checked out during the game last week and was allowed to come back.

On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt took a big hit to the head on the first play of the game. Watt was checked out but stayed in the game. The day after the game, Watt was placed in the concussion protocol where he remained until this Thursday.

Watt spoke to the media about his return and he made sure to be very clear that he was cleared to return after the examination in the blue medical tent. The NFL and NFLPA were looking into the situation in part due to the fact that the hit was so severe and shortly after it, Watt swapped out for a very dark tinted visor.

When asked about the switch, Watt snapped back and said he wouldn’t get into the specifics of why he did it but pointed out he typically wears a visor. Watt’s fellow starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith also came out of concussion protocol on Thursday and both are expected to play Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Steelers LB Alex Highsmith out of concussion protocol

The Steelers should have both of their starting outside linebackers on Saturday.

On the same day that Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was released from NFL concussion protocols, his teammate and fellow starter Alex Highsmith was as well. This means both guys should be ready to go on Saturday when the Steelers go on the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts.

Highsmith went down early in last Thursday’s loss to the New England Patriots with what was originally called a neck injury but was unable to return.

Pittsburgh is going to need big games from Watt and Highsmith if they hope to break this two-game losing streak and stay in the playoff hunt. Highsmith has had a disappointing year after signing a huge new contract. Coming off of a season where he set a career-high with 14.5 sacks, Highsmith only has 6.0 this year. That’s not to say he hasn’t been productive in other ways but all pass rushers are ultimately measured by sacks.

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Colts vs. Steelers: 5 things to watch in Week 15

Here are five things to watch for in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts will be looking to shake off their disappointing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals as they are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Saturday matchup in Week 15.

This series hasn’t been favorable for the Colts. They have lost eight straight games to the Steelers with their last win in the series coming back in 2008.

The last time Indianapolis beat Pittsburgh at home came in 2005. This is another crucial AFC contest for the Colts with both teams currently in the playoffs and a win on Saturday can help create separation heading into the final three weeks of the season.

Here are five things to watch for when this game kicks off on Saturday afternoon:

Steelers pass rushers clear protocol, will play vs. Colts

T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith were cleared from the concussion protocol.

The Indianapolis Colts will face one of the best pass rushers in the game as Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was cleared from the concussion protocol.

Watt had been a full participant at practice for the first two days of the week so it’s no surprise he cleared the protocol. For the Colts, this means a lot of focus will be spent on how to help rookie Blake Freeland, who steps in for the injured Braden Smith (knee) for the second week in a row.

Watt is having another stellar season with 14.0 sacks thus far. Slowing him down will be the biggest obstacle for a Colts offense that scored just seven points in a brutal Week 14 loss.

On the other side of the formation, Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith also cleared the concussion protocol Thursday and will play against the Colts. He may not be having the season he enjoyed in 2022 when he posted a career-high 14.5 sacks, but he’s still productive with 6.0 sacks and 16 quarterback hits thus far.

He will primarily line up against second-year left tackle Bernhard Raimann, who is coming off a rough game but has been enjoying a strong season overall.

The matchup in the trenches very well may determine the outcome of this game, which is a crucial one for both teams’ playoff hopes.

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