Jack Sawyer prepping for 1st start for Steelers in wake of injuries to T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig

For the first time in his young NFL career, Jack Sawyer played more than half of the defensive snaps in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-15 victory Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.

The rookie fourth-round draft pick from Ohio State could exceed that workload Sunday when the Steelers face the Detroit Lions.

Already minus T.J. Watt because of a partially collapsed lung, the Steelers lost fellow outside linebacker Nick Herbig to a hamstring injury during the win against the Dolphins. Neither Watt nor Herbig has practiced this week, increasing the likelihood that Sawyer will make his first NFL start Sunday, lining up alongside Alex Highsmith at outside linebacker.

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin thinks the 23-year-old rookie will be ready for the assignment.

“The one thing I always liked when I watched Jack in college was when it was tough and they needed a big play, he was a guy that was around,” Austin said Thursday. “He’s not afraid of those moments. I think he’ll be able to step up and give us what we need with an expanded role this week.”

As recently as two weeks ago, when the Steelers regained sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a victory in Baltimore, Sawyer played just three snaps on defense while Herbig served as the top backup to Watt and Highsmith. Then, Watt had his lung accidentally penetrated during a dry needling treatment, moving up Sawyer a spot in the outside linebacker pecking order.

Sawyer had three tackles during his season-high 28 snaps against Miami on “Monday Night Football.” He actually was on the field longer than Herbig, who exited early with his hamstring injury.

“Coming in, I was trying to work as hard as I can, get better, learn and grow as a player,” Sawyer said. “I’m just excited to continue that. I’ve got two great older guys in the room, and Nick Herbig has been playing great, too.”

The timing of Sawyer’s anticipated first start comes with three games remaining in the regular season and the Steelers (8-6) trying to win their first division title since 2020. The Steelers can’t clinch anything until Week 17, but Sawyer doesn’t need to be reminded of the importance of the game this weekend. The Lions (8-6) are fighting for an NFC playoff berth.

“It’s awesome. It’s what you live for, what you play the game for,” Sawyer said. “I think being later in the year, the games get heightened, and there is more at stake. That is why you play this game. It’s exciting and a great opportunity for us.”

Although he is in his first NFL season, Sawyer has experience playing meaningful games in December and January. At Ohio State, he was part of the inaugural national championship squad from a 12-team playoff.

“Playing in a lot of big games, especially last year, I think it definitely gets you ready to play in these games at this level,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer was one of three defensive rookies selected by the Steelers in the April draft with an eye toward improving the run defense. First-round pick Derrick Harmon started five games on the line before suffering a knee injury. Fifth-rounder Yahya Black has started three on the D-line, including the past two while Harmon has been sidelined. Now, it’s Sawyer’s turn to show he has value beyond being a core special teams contributor.

“Jack is getting better every week,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said. “For a rookie to be playing this early, D-Harm and Yahya have contributed a lot to our group. … Jack is no different. Jack is going to have to step up this week, and we believe he can do it.”

Sawyer transitioned from the Ohio State defensive line to outside linebacker in the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Sawyer is the heaviest of the linebackers on the 53-man roster. He reminds Austin of former Steelers pass rusher Bud Dupree.

“Bud is a big 265-pound guy, and Jack is that way,” Austin said. “It helps us because it gives us a little heavier anchor on the edge. Sometimes, (outside linebackers) will use their quickness to move around. This guy can set down and set an edge. It’s a little different in that regard. He’s making the transition well.”

The Steelers will try to build on their defensive performance from Monday night when they held the Dolphins to 63 yards rushing. The Dolphins averaged 192 during a four-game winning streak. The Lions possess the NFL’s fifth-ranked rushing offense and averages 131.1 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs has 1,100 yards, and David Montgomery, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, has 635.

“The first thing in any defensive line room is stopping the run, and here in Pittsburgh, PA, the standard is stopping the run,” Sawyer said. “It’s definitely been a point of emphasis for all of us.”