The 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers host the 2-2 Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night. One crucial matchup to monitor throughout the game is the Cowboys’ 12th-ranked offensive line vs. the Steelers’ 1st-ranked defensive line in the battle of the trenches. Their defensive line will be shorthanded because their star pass rusher will not play.
The Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE rusher will not play Sunday night
According to Joe Rutter of Trib.LIVE, the Pittsburgh Steelers have already ruled out Alex Highsmith for their Sunday night game. Highsmith exited the first half of their Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with a groin injury and did not return for the rest of the game. As a result, he did not play in their Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Fans shouldn’t worry because he could return to the football field soon.
Injury update for Steelers: Alex Highsmith will miss another game with his groin injury. James Daniels is out and hasn’t been put on IR yet.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2024
Alex Highsmith’s ideal timetable for return revealed
A source told Mark Kaboly, the Steelers correspondent for the Pat McAfee Show, that Highsmith will likely miss their Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, but the team hopes to have him back for their Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets. Since groin injuries can linger, they are playing it safe. Not having him in their starting rotation negatively impacts their pass rush, but they still have T.J. Watt.
According to source(s), the Steelers are eyeing the Oct. 20 game against the Jets to get Alex Highsmith back from a groin injury he suffered against the Chargers in Week 3. #PMSLive
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) October 3, 2024
Who will replace him in the starting rotation?
A fourth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, Nick Herbig, will replace Alex Highsmith in the starting rotation if he’s active. Herbig started last week’s game but exited with an ankle injury. He did not participate in Wednesday’s practice but participated in Thursday’s practice. It’s unclear if he will play.
A third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, DeMarvin Leal, will start if Nick Herbig cannot play this week. Leal switched positions from defensive end to outside linebacker this offseason to get more playing time. He played 22 snaps last week since Herbig exited the game.
