Alex Highsmith ready to rejoin 'sack party' at outside linebacker for Steelers

Alex Highsmith was looking forward to accompanying the Pittsburgh Steelers to Dublin for their international game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Instead, the veteran outside linebacker remained stateside as a concession to a high ankle sprain. For the second week in a row, he watched the game on TV as the Steelers pulled out a victory in his absence.

“It was definitely tough,” Highsmith said Monday. “It was a trip I was looking forward to since it got announced. I knew a necessary sacrifice had to be made for me not to go on that trip and have my ankle swell up or have any setbacks. … Hopefully, I can go there in the offseason.”

Highsmith’s reward for his decision will be a chance to return Sunday when the Steelers play the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. After doing individual work in a bonus workout scheduled by coach Mike Tomlin following a four-day bye weekend, Highsmith expects to resume a full practice regimen later in the week and clearance to return at outside linebacker.

Tomlin didn’t schedule a practice last week before the bye, a first in his nearly two-decade run as head coach. Highsmith, though, was at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex twice to take part in on-field work.

“It’s a little stiff, but I’m confident this will be a good week of practice and I’ll be good to go on Sunday,” he said. “Nothing is confirmed yet, but I just have to keep progressing.”

Forgive Highsmith if he feels the urge to hasten his return to the starting lineup. In his absence, Nick Herbig proved to be a more-than-capable replacement, recording 2 1/2 sacks and seven hits while, arguably, playing the best two-game stretch of his three-year NFL career. It coincided with the best two games of the season for the defense.

“It shows how prepared he is,” Highsmith said. “He prepares every single week, and the work has paid off for him.”

With two more years left on his contract after 2025 and cap hits north of $20 million each season, Highsmith is in no danger of becoming a Wally Pipp to Herbig’s Lou Gehrig. If healthy, Highsmith will move back into his customary spot at right outside linebacker, and T.J. Watt will man the right side.

That would appear to leave Herbig as the odd-man out. But based on how Herbig played for the past two games, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin won’t let him spend too much time on the sideline.

“We are not going to limit Nick Herbig,” Austin said last week. “He is showing up every week. He is disruptive. He’s a really good player for us, and we’re going to find ways to get him onto the field.”

Herbig missed the season opener against the New York Jets because of a hamstring injury. When he returned in Week 2 against Seattle, the Steelers experimented with a three outside linebacker package early in the game. Those plans were scuttled when Highsmith sustained his high ankle sprain after logging just 10 snaps.

“It’s a great package we have,” Highsmith said. “We did it some last year. When all three of us are out there, we can make splash plays. I’m looking forward to building on that whether it’s switching us all around, some of us rushing on the guard, some of us rushing on the end. We have a lot of versatility with the three of us being in at the same time.”

The Steelers rank second in the NFL by blitzing on 35.8% of all defensive snaps. In 2024, the Steelers ranked No. 12 by blitzing 25.9% of the snaps. The opportunity to play more man coverage in the second has allowed Austin to call more blitzes. In the past two games it has paid off to the tune of 11 sacks and 22 quarterback hits.

“We can cause a lot of trouble up front and change the looks up,” inside linebacker Patrick Queen said. “We can blitz people from different spots. You never know what we can do. It’s huge to have (Highsmith) back. We definitely can get more pressure on the quarterbacks.”

Highsmith is willing to do his part for the defense when the Steelers open AFC North play against the Browns.

“I’m ready to see it come to fruition this game,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back out there with the guys and join the sack party.”