Steelers' T.J. Watt cleared by neurologist, no longer in concussion protocol

It’s too early to determine whether outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will be available to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis.

T.J. Watt, though, appears to be good to go after being cleared Wednesday night by an independent neurological consultant. He no longer is in concussion protocol.

Watt was a full participant in practice Wednesday, and Highsmith was limited for the second day in a row.

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is bracing for a scenario of having to start either veteran Markus Golden or rookie Nick Herbig if Highsmith can’t go.

Austin said there will be no snap-count limitations placed on his star pass rushers if both play.

“If they feel like they can do it, I’m not taking them off (the field),” Austin said Wednesday before practice. “If they feel they can go, and they’re playing hard for us like they always do, then they’ll be out there.”

Highsmith had played at least 85% of the defensive plays for six consecutive games until he suffered a neck injury in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots last Thursday. He logged just 17 of a possible 57 snaps.

Watt took a knee to the chin on the first play from scrimmage, yet he was cleared to return by medical personnel and missed just five snaps in the game. Herbig, a fourth-round pick from Wisconsin, was the only other outside linebacker from the 53-man roster active for the game, and he played a career-high 45 snaps in Highsmith’s absence.

“Right now, they are able to do some things in practice, so we’ll see,” Austin said. “I’m hopeful, though.”

Until then, Austin has been getting Golden, a nine-year veteran, and Herbig up to speed.

Golden, 32, was a healthy scratch for the first time when the Steelers faced the Patriots. It was bad timing given the injuries to Watt and Highsmith. Golden didn’t get a helmet because, at this stage of his career, he doesn’t play special teams.

“That is what it really came down to,” Austin said.

Golden has reached double digits in sacks three times in his career, doing it as recently as 2021 when he was in his second stint with the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers signed him in free agency to replace Malik Reed, who filled that role in 2022 after being acquired from the Denver Broncos.

Golden has played 19% of the defensive plays this season, a total dragged down by single-digit snaps over a four-game stretch before he was scratched.

“You have to come to work no matter what, go hard, make sure you do your part,” Golden said. “Football is a business at the end of the day. I know I’m going to be ready no matter what and go hard every day.”

Herbig, who hails from the same school that produced Watt, tied for the team lead with six tackles against the Patriots. He also had one as a core member of the special teams units, and he has two sacks for the season.

“He had to take on a pretty large role last week … I thought he did a good job in that regard,” Austin said. “We have him, we have M.G. again this week … that will give us some depth there. That’s one area where we think we’ve improved our depth, so that if we do end up with injuries or lack of availability with Alex and T.J.”

Until the Steelers faced New England, Herbig never had played more than 17 defensive snaps in a game. He could be in line to make his first NFL start in the event Highsmith isn’t cleared.

“You have to prepare like you’re a starter every single day,” Herbig said. “Having that mindset from Day 1, you never know when your opportunity is going to come knocking. You have to be ready to make the most out of it.”

Herbig credits Watt and Highsmith with taking him under their wing and teaching him the intricacies of playing outside linebacker.

“It’s staying calm, staying collected and act like I’ve been there before and be ready for it,” he said. “They are encouraging me, like, ‘It’s your time, come on, let’s go make a play.’ ”