Steelers’ Alex Highsmith earns AFC defensive player of the week honors
On the heels of shutting down the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense and scoring an upset victory, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense earned a league individual honor.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith on Wednesday was named AFC defensive player of the week for Week 9. Highsmith had two of the Steelers’ six sacks and one of their two strip-sacks of Daniel Jones during the 27-20 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
Highsmith had four tackles overall — three solo and three for loss — in addition to a tipped pass. He also was part of a run defense that limited NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor to a season-low 45 yards on 14 carries.
Alex Highsmith was a problem in week 9 pic.twitter.com/0heEbDvROv
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) November 3, 2025
Highsmith wasn’t the Steelers’ only viable candidate for the award. Inside linebacker Payton Wilson had a team-high 13 tackles (nine solo), an interception and a tipped pass that resulted in another interception of Jones.
Highsmith is the Steelers’ first defensive player of the week in almost exactly a calendar year — T.J. Watt earned it for Week 8 last season.
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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