Steelers receive return date for injured OLB Alex Highsmith

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers have a return date for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Highsmith suffered a groin injury late in the first half of the team's Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium on September 22. He missed last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts and has already been ruled out for the team's Week 5 home game this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

According to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show, Highsmith is expected to miss another game after that, and the Steelers are targeting a return for their Week 7 game against the New York Jets on October 20.

That would mean Highsmith misses a full month, but the Steelers have good reason to be cautious about his return this time. Highsmith initially injured his groin during training camp and was forced to miss the entire preseason before returning for Week 1.

Nick Herbig was the first man to replace Highsmith, with the 2023 fourth-round draft pick making his first career start against the Indianapolis Colts. But Herbig suffered an ankle injury in the game, forcing defensive end DeMarvin Leal to play outside linebacker for most of the second half.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he expects Herbig to be able to play this week. He was limited in practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday.

Outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon is eligible to come off the injured reserve list and returned to practice this week. After returning from a sprained ankle in the preseason, he has been fully involved in every training session so far.

Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith at practice on Wednesday, August 26, 2024. – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT