The injury report classifies Alex Highsmith’s status for Sunday’s game as “questionable.” The veteran outside linebacker, though, presented a more optimistic view when asked if he would be able to play in the AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
“Absolutely, yeah,” Highsmith said Friday. “Feel good.”
Highsmith, part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ dynamic outside linebacker duo, suffered a groin injury late during Wednesday’s practice and sat out Thursday’s session entirely.
“It’s a little tightness, just want to be smart with it,” Highsmith said after Friday’s practice. “But yeah, I will be ready to go (Sunday).”
Highsmith signed a four-year, $68 million extension before training camp to continue serving as the “Robin” opposite T.J. Watt’s “Batman” as Steelers’ edge defenders. Though he has just one sack through four games after having a career-high 14 1/2 last season, that sack forced a fumble and resulted in a Watt touchdown. Highsmith also has an interception return for a touchdown in addition to seven QB hits and two tackles for loss this season.
“Him and T.J. mean the world to each other when they are out there on the field because it’s hard to account for both of them,” veteran Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson said. “So you have to chip one of them, or have one less guy going out down the field for a route, so it changes the timing of pass plays and the dynamic in run fits tremendously.”
If Highsmith cannot play Sunday, veteran Markus Golden would be his expected replacement in the starting lineup. Rookie fourth-round pick Nick Herbig is the Steelers No. 4 OLB, with undrafted rookie David Perales on the practice squad.
“I’ve been playing in this league for a long time,” said Golden, a nine-year veteran, “I am doing the same things, the same preparation as I always do. Alex is a great player, hoping he will be able to go, but as far as me, I am changing up nothing. I’m going hard every day like I always do.”
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