Alex Highsmith Fantasy Stats

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently gave edge rusher Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million contract extension, which has led to more speculation that the Steelers could trade one of linebackers T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith, this offseason. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that Watt "isn't going anywhere this year, and he's going to play for the Steelers." Rapoport also doesn't "get the sense" that Highsmith is going anywhere either. Watt, 31, signed a three-year, $123 million contract with Pittsburgh in July of last year. It doesn't sound like he's a realistic trade candidate this offseason, but that could be a different story come next year, when the Steelers will have a decision to make either way. The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro can still be a difference-maker on defense when he's healthy, but he's not getting any younger, and durability is becoming a bit more of a concern for the Steelers and fantasy managers in IDP formats. Watt played in 14 regular-season games in 2025 and had just seven sacks, the second-fewest total of his nine-year NFL career.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense will be without linebacker Alex Highsmith (pectoral) for their Week 12 tilt on the road in Chicago against the Bears on Sunday. Highsmith was listed as doubtful coming into this game, and he will officially miss a second straight game. However, the 28-year-old was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday, which means he could return in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. With Highsmith out again on Sunday, Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer will see more reps at linebacker for Pittsburgh. The Steelers' defense hasn't been the lockdown unit that most people are accustomed to seeing, but they will still be in play as a low-end fantasy option this weekend, despite missing Highsmith. Through 11 weeks this year, Highsmith has 24 tackles (15 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, and a forced fumble in seven games.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he expects linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the New York Jets, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. Highsmith injured his groin in early August but has since returned to practice and should be fine to suit up this weekend unless he suffers a setback in practice this week. The 28-year-old former third-rounder had a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2022 in his third year in the league, but he was able to play in only 11 games a year ago due to injuries and finished with six sacks and a career-low 45 tackles (28 solo) for the Steelers. His presence in the season opener alongside All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt will be good news for a Steelers defense/special teams unit that should be a must-start in Week 1 against a new Jets offense under quarterback Justin Fields.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) suffered a groin injury in practice on Sunday. The 27-year-old had a similar groin injury last season, forcing him to play in only 11 games. Highsmith has been a stalwart on the Steelers' defense since 2020, compiling 35.5 sacks over his career. If Highsmith is forced to miss the start of the season, it would be a blow to the Steelers' defense, which was a top-five fantasy DST in 2024. Fantasy managers should monitor his status closely as his absence could impact the Steelers' defensive fantasy production.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) is fully expected to play in Week 14 on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Highsmith has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, but he should be back on the field this weekend for a ball-hawking Steelers defense against Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, who just threw for nearly 500 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions (two pick-sixes) in the Monday night loss to the Denver Broncos. The 27-year-old Highsmith has already missed six games in 2024 due to injury and will be a very shaky IDP fantasy play if he's back this Sunday. In six games, he has 19 tackles (11 solo), three sacks, four tackles for loss and 10 QB hits. The Steelers defense/special teams unit should be a must-start against Cleveland, regardless of Highsmith's status.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) is officially inactive for Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals. This was widely expected given that he entered the weekend listed as doubtful. Highsmith is now set to miss his third consecutive game and sixth game this season. Through the six contests for which he has been healthy, the 27-year-old has 19 tackles and three sacks. He'll be replaced by Nick Herbig on the defensive side of the ball.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) and cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring) won't play against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football due to ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively. Highsmith was expected to miss a few weeks after suffering his ankle injury in Week 10, but he is not likely to be placed on Injured Reserve and could return after the team's mini-bye for Week 13. The 27-year-old logged seven sacks last season and has three in six games this year. Trice has not played since Week 3 after suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on IR, and he's been ruled out for Thursday night despite practicing in full all week.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) was unable to participate during Tuesday's practice session. Highsmith has missed his second straight practice which is not good news heading into the Thursday Night matchup against the Cleveland Browns. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 10 and as a result Highsmith didn't play during last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers haven't placed him on the injured reserve, but head coach Mike Tomlin did say that Highsmith is considered as week-to-week right now. Highsmith has 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks through six games this season. If he sits, Nick Herbig could see more snaps during Thursday's game.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) missed practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 11 showdown against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. In addition, cornerback C.J. Henderson (neck) is out, while defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring) is questionable. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Highsmith is week-to-week, meaning he could miss additional time, including the Week 12 tilt on a short turnaround next Thursday night against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. It certainly will make things more difficult for the Steelers defense against two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and the explosive Ravens offense. Pittsburgh's defense/special teams should be faded in fantasy this week. With Highsmith out, Nick Herbig should take on a bigger role at linebacker.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that linebackers Alex Highsmith (groin) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) will miss the Week 6 contest this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Highsmith will be missing his third straight game due to a groin injury, but he deserves to be stashed in IDP fantasy formats for the time being. Herbig was also injured in the Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night and won't be available this week, putting more on the shoulders of All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt. With both Highsmith and Herbig sidelined, Jeremiah Moon will have an opportunity for more playing time in Vegas. Even though the Steelers will be without both Highsmith and Herbig, the Steelers defense/special teams until will be a must-start against a Raiders team that is trying to trade receiver Davante Adams while also in the midst of a QB controversy.