Alex

Highsmith

Highsmith’s long-awaited return is here. The talented front-seven defender should make an immediate impact, both as a pass rusher and as a run defender. The team will have to wait for another week to get DT Montravius Adams Sr. (knee) back from injured reserve but he promisingly practiced in full on Thursday and Friday this week.

Mike Tomlin said earlier in the week that he “fully expected” Highsmith to be back this week after the pass-rusher missed the last three games with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 10 against the Commanders. Injuries have limited Highsmith to just six games this year, but he’s managed three sacks, four TFLs, and 19 total tackles in those games. There’s a good chance he’ll be completely removed from the injury report on Friday.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters yesterday he expects Highsmith to return from the ankle injury this week. A limited session on Wednesday is a step in the right direction. Highsmith has missed three games because of the injury and previously missed three more with a groin issue. He has three sacks and four TFLs in six appearances this season.

Highsmith has missed three games with the ankle injury, matching the three games he missed from Weeks 4-6 with a groin injury. He somehow avoided injured reserve both times. Highsmith has three sacks in six games, along with 10 quarterback hits, and should be a boost for Pittsburgh’s pass defense against Jameis Winston.

Highsmith will miss another week with an ankle injury. The Steelers are undefeated in games where he plays this season, but just 2-3 when he does not. Obviously, this is a slight boost for the Bengals offense.

Highsmith’s ankle injury has kept him sidelined over the last two weeks so his return to practice is a big step. Whether he is healthy enough to suit up for Week 13 against the Bengals remains to be seen but he is at least on track to return for the Steelers’ Week 14 game against the Browns.

Highsmith’s absence was already known. Aside from the linebacker, this is about as quiet as a mid-season inactives list is going to get. Highsmith is week to week with what seems to be a high-ankle sprain.

The Steelers are fairly healthy heading into their AFC North showdown with the Browns, but losing Highsmith is a notable blow to the defense. Highsmith missed Week 11 with what is likely a high-ankle sprain and is out again this week. He has three sacks in six appearances this year.

Highsmith missed Week 11 against the Ravens and has been out since Week 10 due to an ankle injury. Mike Tomlin said last week that Highsmith would be week-to-week and he has not been placed on injured reserve. He has three sacks in six games this season, grading out as one of the Steelers’ best pass-rushers. With back-to-back DNPs to begin the week, expect Highsmith to miss Thursday’s Week 12 game against the Browns, though the mini-bye may allow him to recover enough for Week 13.

Highsmith had just returned to the lineup after missing Weeks 4-6 with a groin injury. The Steelers look likely to continue to not place him on IR based on this quote, so this’ll probably play out much like the groin injury did. It’s a big loss — Highsmith has an 84.6 PFF pass rush grade this year — as they head into Week 11’s game against the Ravens.