Tag: Alex Highsmith

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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Steelers starting outside linebackers both in concussion protocol

T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are both in the league’s concussion protocol.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Saturday that outside linebacker T.J. Watt had been placed in concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on Friday at the team facility.

So Watt now joins fellow starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith in the concussion protocol. Highsmith was knocked out of Thursday night’s loss to the New England Patriots with what was originally characterized as a neck injury before being ruled out with a concussion.

Watt took a huge hit to the head early in the game when he caught an inadvertent knee to the head while making a tackle. Watt didn’t report any symptoms during the game and was in and out of the lineup. Watt definitely didn’t look like he was 100 percent during the game but he was evaluated and cleared to return to action.

The Steelers now have a could of extra days to get Watt and Highsmith healthy before they take on the Indianapolis Colts on a Saturday. This game is likely to determine the ultimate outcome of the Steelers season if they still hold even the slimmest of playoff aspirations.

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Steelers LB Alex Highsmith OUT with neck injury

The Steelers will not get Alex Highsmith back Thursday night.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to come back and beat the New England Patriots, they will have to do it without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. Highsmith suffered a neck injury early in the first half and after initially being questionable has been downgraded to OUT for the rest of the game.

This is in addition to fellow starting outside linebacker T.J. Watt who took a huge hit to the head on the opening defensive drive and has been on and off the field, and you can see he is not playing at 100 percent.

Compounding this issue is the fact that The Steelers deactivated veteran outside linebacker Markus Golden before this game. That means the bulk of the snaps will be rookie Nick Herbig and neither he nor Watt are going to get any rest.

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Studs and duds from the Steelers blowout loss to the Cardinals

The Steelers were on the wrong end of this week’s game in a big way.

The Pittsburgh Steelers hit a new low on Sunday in a 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals came into the game at 2-10 and the Steelers were 7-4. But the two teams played like the records were reversed and it really does make you wonder if this Steelers team is as good as the wins or are as bad as these losses.

Here are this week’s studs and duds.

5 players the Steelers need more from down the stretch

Pittsburgh needs guys like Alex Highsmith and Calvin Austin III to step up their games in these final six games.

With six games left to play, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a great position to make a late push and cement their spot in the playoffs. But if the Steelers are going to keep winning, they need more from these five players down the stretch.

Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith talks biggest challenge facing Packers

The Steelers defense has a two-headed challenge on their hands tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ run-strapped defense has a two-headed challenge on their hands: Containing the run stylings of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.

Not unlike themselves, the Green Bay Packers‘ two backs can gash you in different ways. Just ask the Los Angeles Rams, who the Pack ran for 184 yards on in Week 9.

According to NFL.com stats, Pittsburgh’s run defense ranks 23rd. The unit has allowed 133 yards per game through eight games and five touchdowns.

“It’s going to be a challenge going against them,” Alex Highsmith told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I think the first thing is stopping the run. They have a good two-headed monster in A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones, we have to stop them, get after them and get after Jordan Love in the passing game.”

“It starts there, stopping the run, not letting them get in rhythm, not letting them get those manageable third downs, keeping them in third and long so we can pin our ears back and get after them.”

They’ll have to do so without the services of Cole Holcomb, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. He was a key player in getting after runners with 24 tackles, 16 of which were stops.

“It’s tough,” said Highsmith. “I hate it for him. He loves this game. I know we have capable guys that are going to come in and play. It’s an opportunity for guys like Mark Robinson and others to step up and play.”

Green Bay’s 3-5 record is deceiving, having dropped some very close matchups. Three of their five losses were decided by five points or less.

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Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith gets props from unlikely source

Alex Highsmith had a huge game against the Titans last week.

A strong case can be made this season that Las Vegas Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby is the best edge defender in the NFL. He’s an absolute disruptive force. The Pittsburgh Steelers know a thing or two about dominant outside pass rushers having a pair of their own in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Crosby did his weekly top three rushers or his three rushman of the week and included one of those Steelers at No. 1. But instead of it being Watt like you might think, Crosby gave a huge boost by putting Highsmith on top.

“He’s got literally every move you can imagine,” Crosby said. He also noted that against the Titans, Highsmith had four tackles, two sacks and a mind-boggling 11 pressures in the Steelers win.

Highsmith is currently second on the Steelers with 4.5 sacks. He is coming off of a career year where he had 13.5 sacks and earned himself a huge new contract. Highsmith has 38 pressures on the season.

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5 Steelers players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 8

Here are five Steelers players who could be challenging for the Jaguars to stop in Week 8.

After already passing their bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 4-2, as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Pennsylvania.

While the Steelers aren’t a juggernaut this season, they’ve pulled out wins in close games. All four of their wins were by one possession, but their two losses were by 23 and 24 points.

Pittsburgh hasn’t been fully healthy for much of the season, and some of the players are still banged up, but the Steelers have still found ways to win games.

Here are five Steelers players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in their Week 8 matchup: