Nick Herbig out, but No. 3 QB Skylar Thompson in uniform for Steelers at Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Pass rushing specialist No. 3 outside linebacker Nick Herbig was designated as inactive and not in uniform for the Pittsburgh Steelers for Sunday’s season opener at the New York Jets.
Herbig did not miss any of the three practices this past week in the lead-up to Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury suffered in the second preseason game — but he did not participate fully in any of them, either.
Without Herbig, the Steelers will rely on a pair of players making their Steelers debuts as the backups to the starting OLB duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith — rookie fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer and March free-agent signee Malik Harrison. Though Harrison more often will take practice reps at inside linebacker and was most coveted for his special-teams prowess, he has plenty of NFL experience as an edge defender.
Herbig entered the weekend with an official designation as questionable to play Sunday, as did No. 3 quarterback Skylar Thompson. Thompson, though, was in uniform to serve as the “emergency” QB despite suffering a hamstring injury late in the practice week.
Also Sunday, cornerback and special-teamer James Pierre was elevated from the practice squad and will appear in his 82nd game for the Steelers since he signed with them as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2000 — the most of any player over that span.
It had been known over the past week that rookie first-round draft pick Derrick Harmon would not be able to play against the Jets because of a knee injury suffered in the preseason finale.
Healthy scratches for the Steelers were offensive linemen Max Scharping and Andrus Peat and defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo.
No Lazard for Jets
There was no in-uniform, on-field reunion Sunday between Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and one of his longtime receivers, Alan Lazard. Lazard was a healthy inactive for New York, along with linebacker Braiden McGregor, tight end Jelani Woods and defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III.
Starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (triceps) and reserve tackle Esa Pole (ankle) did not play for the Jets because of injury.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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