PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – His first year with the Steelers, but ninth year in the League, outside linebacker Markus Golden said it's been fun being in this system. He feels like he signed with the right team and now he might play his biggest role yet with them on Sunday.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith did not practice on Thursday due to a groin injury, he said they were being smart and that he will play. Potentially, though, it could be with more limited reps for Highsmith. That means Golden will get more run.
"I've been playing in this league a long time," Golden said. "I'm doing the same things, the same preparation. Alex is a great player, hopefully he will be able to go. As for me, I'm going as hard as I ever do."
Golden played the fewest snaps this year in the loss to Houston, only 13, but that likely will go up. He's been productive with a pair of sacks and tackles for loss in limited action. The nine-year veteran played 781 with Arizona last year, so he's not that far removed from an increased play load, if needed.
The other back-up is Nick Herbig, who made a big splash in the preseason. TJ Watt said he's like a sponge soaking up information as Golden said the best sign for Herbig is his battle during every opportunity in practice. He believes that's going to make him great down the road.
Herbig only played four snaps against Houston after being in double-digits his first three NFL games with five tackles. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said they've been looking for the right situations to get the third-round pick more action.
"I think one of the things that would help is if we could get him (opposing QB) behind the chains and we have an opportunity to rush them, because that's really his strong suit," Austin said. "But until then, we'll just let the game come to him and we'll get him what we can and grow him as best we can with the amount of reps."
Austin said it's hard to take a Watt and Highsmith off the field to give your backups more work because of the impact they make. This might be the first time for either to get more extended time and the belief is high in both.
"They've been great so far this season" Highsmith said. "MG coming in and getting sacks and Nick coming in and making plays as well has been huge for us. Knowing that if TJ and I would go out, they would come in and play great for us. They've been great so far."
"I feel confident," Watt said. "I always feel confident with guys in this locker room. Feel very confident in the depth that we have."
Golden had 11 sacks with Arizona in just five starts in 2021. He's played in 115 NFL games with 64 tackles for loss, he says he won't overthink the scenarios of how much he will play or what he needs to do when he gets in there.
"It's football," Golden said. "I go hard every day. I don't practice halfway, I practice every day going hard. It's football, you ain't got to make it that difficult. You got to go out there knowing what you are doing, play football."
For the last few years the Steelers have searched for dependable and potentially play-making back-up outside linebackers. They feel like they have that with Golden and Herbig, Sunday could go further in proving that.
