Steelers notes: Coming off 1st career sack, Jack Sawyer preps for likely bigger role

The official NFL statisticians did not divvy up Sunday’s fourth-quarter sack of the Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold. They gave full credit to rookie Jack Sawyer.

That was big because it gave the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie edge rusher his first NFL sack. Sawyer, though, wanted to credit T.J. Watt with a sizable assist.

“On my sack, he had three guys hunt him,” Sawyer said, “so I told him thank you.”

Jack Sawyer gets his first NFL sack
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— Woody (@woodyVSworld) September 14, 2025

With the team’s other starting OLB, Alex Highsmith, nursing an ankle injury suffered during the game and therefore with a status in doubt for this coming Sunday’s game at the New England Patriots, Sawyer could be in line for an increased role to compensate.

“For me, it’s just going about my business as I do every week and being ready for anything and whenever my number is called to be out there to go out there and play the best I can help this team win and be successful” Sawyer said. “I’m praying Alex gets back healthy, and who knows? I’m just trying to be ready so whenever my number is called, I can step in there and there’s no dropoff. Because he’s an exceptional player.”

Wilson gets elusive catch

That it came on a third-and-20 in the waning minutes of a two-touchdown defeat doesn’t change that it went in the stat book as a milestone.

The first career catch for Steelers receiver Roman Wilson.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” Wilson said Monday, almost 24 hours after his 7-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers. “It’s just that I’m really focused on going into the next week and things like that. It is cool, but it’s just football to me. I’ve had plenty of catches before, so I’m really just looking forward to the next one.”

For Wilson, the first one took much longer than he had surely anticipated. A third-round pick last year, Wilson’s rookie year was limited significantly by injuries. Then, even when he was deemed healthy, Wilson was often a Sunday inactive. The one game he did play last season, Wilson played just five snaps.

Wilson was on the field for just 10 snaps in last week’s season opener – again, he was not targeted. Finally, against Seattle, Rodgers threw his way twice – once each in the second and fourth quarters.

Wilson played a career-high 22 snaps.

“It’s been cool just working in with my reps, just working with what I get,” Wilson said. “It’s been good. I’m feeling better, so it’s been fun.”

Otomewo ready

Signed as a free agent in March, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo was good enough in training camp and preseason action that he made the Steelers’ 53-man roster.

Though he’s been deemed a healthy scratch the first two games of the season, Otomewo figures to be the next man up on the defensive line after Isaiahh Lodermilk suffered an ankle injury against the Seahawks.

“Any time my jersey’s called upon, I’m going to be willing to perform at my best capability and God-given ability for this team,” Otomewo said Monday. “We know in this (position) room we’ve got to be better than we’ve shown. As long as I’m helping contribute to the group in a positive way and impact, I’m all on board. And obviously, the coaches will be once they elevate me when my time comes.”

Listed at 6 feet 5, 282 pounds, Otomewo has nine NFL regular-season games of experience, including four for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. He said he is capable of playing any position up and down the Steelers’ defensive line, from nose tackle on out.

“I definitely feel like this scheme fits me in general,” Otomewo said. “And I feel like just being around great guys in the room is helping me since I’ve been here. I am eager to help wherever and whenever is needed.”