LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – We don’t know the severity of the injury, but outside linebacker Alex Highsmith pulled himself out of a drill on Sunday. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin rarely mentions specifics, but said it is maybe a groin issue.
The linebackers were doing one-on-one pass rushing drills when Highsmith felt something and stopped doing the drill and missed the rest of practice at St. Vincent College. It was a groin injury last year that caused Highsmith to miss most of the Washington game along with Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati games between November 17 through December 1. Highsmith also missed a game in 2021 with a groin injury and played through a minor groin injury in 2023.
Last year he had a sack in each of the first three games (Cleveland, Philadelphia, Baltimore) and totaled five tackles for loss upon returning from the groin injury. Before last year, Highsmith had only missed one game in his career which includes 33.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three interceptions and 72 quarterback hits.
Nick Herbig is the top sub. Entering his third season, Herbig has 8.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in 30 games. The team also drafted Ohio State outside linebacker Jack Sawyer in the fourth round and Eku Leota, who played a game for the Steelers last year, has been one of the surprise players in camp.
Again, we won’t know the severity of the injury likely until after practice Tuesday as the Steelers are off Monday.