This post was originally published on this site
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals have held their first official practices of the week, which means our first very official looks at the documented injury updates ahead of Week 13.
No big surprises on the first injury report of the week. Edge rusher Alex Highsmith still has yet to practice with an ankle injury suffered in Week 10. The official DNP tag is a little surprising, as Penn Live beat reporter Nick Farabaugh shared a relatively positive update on Tuesday:
Alex Highsmith said he ran a bit off to the side today. In his words, he ‘felt good’ while doing it.
Highsmith is optimistic he can play against the Bengals, but will see how things go throughout the week before a final call can be made.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 26, 2024
The team has generally been cautious this season when it comes to return from injury — usually a plus when considering the team’s pass rush could certainly use a boost. Without Highsmith in the lineup, there’s no doubt that their ability to get to opposing quarterbacks has been diminished. Over the past two weeks, they’ve achieved pressure on 45.2% of snaps — the third highest among NFL teams over that two-game span. However, their sack rate stands at just 5.5%, which ranks 20th.
Highsmith has totaled 3 sacks, 11 tackles (4 tackles for a loss) and 10 QB hits over his six starts. Prior to the ankle injury, he’d miss Weeks 4-6 with a groin injury — a challenging season for him to overcome, though it’s worth it in the end, should he finish the year out healthy.
The team did get some excellent news, however, as DT Montravius Adams’ 21-day practice window from injured reserve. He’s missed each of the past four games with a knee injury — a hit to their depth along the interior defensive line, with Isiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry getting more rotational snaps in the B-gap in his absence. Adams has totaled 1 sack and 8 tackles (1 for a loss) in a limited role this season.
Full Steelers practice report: Wednesday, Week 12
DNP: OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle)
Limited: DT Larry Ogunjobi (veteran rest day)
Full: CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring), DT Montravius Adams (knee)
Veteran rest day off: OG Isaac Seumalo, DTs Cameron Heyward