For his role in 2 Steelers’ defensive TDs, Alex Highsmith named AFC defensive player of week

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For his role in 2 Steelers’ defensive TDs, Alex Highsmith named AFC defensive player of week

Chris Adamski | Wednesday, September 20, 2023 2:35 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith returns an interception for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage during Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Highsmith also had a “strip sack” that led to another Steelers defensive touchdown.

No player — offense or defense — was more impactful Monday in creating points for the Pittsburgh Steelers than Alex Highsmith. For his efforts that night during a win against the Cleveland Browns, Highsmith was named AFC defensive player of the week.

Highsmith scored the game’s first points on the game’s first play from scrimmage, returning a tipped interception 30 yards for a touchdown. Then in the fourth quarter, his play caused the final points of the 26-22 victory. Highsmith’s strip sack of Deshaun Watson caused a fumble that T.J. Watt picked up and returned 16 yards for another touchdown.

Alex Highsmith is an insane player pic.twitter.com/VSrrxXBup1

— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) September 19, 2023

In addition to those “splash plays,” Highsmith added another QB hit, a tackle for loss and factored in on six other tackles.

This is the second career AFC defensive player of the week honor for Highsmith, who signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension in July. He’s the first Steelers player to be honored as a player of the week since Cameron Heyward in Week 16 of last season.

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