Pittsburgh Steelers standout pass-rusher Alex Highsmith (concussion) has entered the league's concussion protocol after getting injured in Thursday night's loss to the New England Patriots. Highsmith has more time to clear the protocols before the team's Week 15 game on Saturday, Dec. 16, against the Indianapolis Colts, but it doesn't mean he'll be able to suit up for that one. Highsmith and T.J. Watt are Pittsburgh's two best pass-rushers, so losing the 26-year-old for any amount of time would be bad news for a strong Steelers D. Watt took a knee to the jaw early in Thursday's game and was being looked at in the medical tent, but he eventually returned to the game. Highsmith is a weekly option in IDP fantasy leagues and has six sacks, 49 tackles (27 solo), seven tackles for loss, 16 QB hits, an interception and two forced fumbles in 13 starts this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (neck) has been downgraded to out for the rest of Thursday's game against the New England Patriots. Highsmith was originally listed as questionable after exiting during the first half of this game. Considering the injury, the Steelers have decided to take the cautious approach and hold out Highsmith for the rest of the game. This is a tough blow to the Steelers defense considering how well Highsmith has been playing through the first 12 games of the season. Nick Herbig and Kyron Johnson should see more snaps with Highsmith done for the night.
Alex Highsmith Makes Two Sacks On Thursday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith disrupted Titans quarterback Will Levis to the tune of two sacks and five QB hits in Pittsburgh's 20-16 victory on Thursday Night Football. Highsmith led the team in sacks, while T.J. Watt added one sack. Highsmith's sacks caused the Titans to lose 12 yards. He only made a total of four tackles, but it was his second straight game to make a sack. His Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers will also be a sack-dependent affair.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) was limited in practice on Friday and is labeled as questionable for Sunday's AFC North battle with the Ravens. The 26-year-old was a late addition to the report after experiencing a groin injury at practice. However, he claims he'll be good to go, although fantasy managers will need to wait for the official word. Highsmith has 17 total tackles, one sack, and one interception this season, so he's an essential component to the Steelers defense. With that in mind, although most IDP participants will keep him in their starting lineup, he could be limited from a production standpoint.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Alex Highsmith has a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans in Week 4. The Texans combine a below-average offensive line and a rookie quarterback who sometimes struggles with pressure. Those factors have combined to cause C.J. Stroud to get sacked 11 times, which ranks in the top ten. Stroud was sacked five times in Week 1 and six times in Week 2, but the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a weak defensive line, didn't sack him once. The Steelers, who lead the league in sacks, should be expected to get to Stroud much more often than the Jaguars.
Steelers Sign Alex Highsmith To Four-Year Extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed edge rusher Alex Highsmith to a four-year, $68 million contract extension on Wednesday before the start of training camp, according to his agents. The deal gives Highsmith over $27.7 million in guarantees and $38 million over the first two years of the new contract. The 25-year-old linebacker was fantasy relevant in IDP leagues last year with a career-high 14.5 sacks, 63 tackles (38 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits and a league-leading five forced fumbles in 17 starts in his third NFL campaign. Having All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt next to him on the field only makes Highsmith more dangerous.
Steelers Go With Alex Highsmith At No. 102 Overall
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Charlotte edge rusher Alex Highsmith with the No. 102 overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday night. Highsmith is a high-motor pass rusher that uses effort, energy and hand skills to succeed as a power rusher on the edge. Look for the Steelers to work with him to build muscle on his frame and to refine his pass-rushing techniques as a designated pass rusher at the next level. Don't expect him to contribute much right away to a Steelers Defense that is quietly already nasty in the pass-rush department, but he's a nice long-term prospect at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds.
