Steelers get plenty of positive injury updates ahead of Week 11

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Mostly good news coming out of a big-time win…

The Pittsburgh Steelers were looking up on the injury front heading into Week 10’s win over the Washington Commanders, but unfortunately, they had a couple of players forced out of the game with injuries, including edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who left with an ankle injury, as well as cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) and wide receiver Calvin Austin III with an apparent head injury.

Though HC Mike Tomlin has already ruled Highsmith out for Week 11’s divisional showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, the team did get some positive news regarding his status rest-of-season. Sam Highsmith, Alex’s father, shared the good news on Twitter on Wednesday, stating that the injury is a “low ankle sprain” and is not season-ending. Whew.

Sam’s update indicates that the injury could force Highsmith out for the next 2-3 weeks, which puts a targeted return date around Week 14 at home against the Cleveland Browns. Luckily, though Highsmith will be out, the team is expecting second-year OLB Nick Herbig to return from a hamstring injury in Week 11 — ideal timing. Herbig missed the past three games with his own injury, but Tomlin noted in his Tuesday press conference that he was “at the doorstep” just last week, and he feels “pretty comfortable that Herbig is going to be back this week.”

Herbig was tasked to fill in for Highsmith earlier this season as he managed a groin injury in Weeks 4 and 5, totaling 0.5 sacks, 4 total tackles (1 TFL), and a fumble recovery over two games.

Also helping to fill in for Highsmith will be recently acquired OLB Preston Smith, who played his first game in black and gold in Week 11 after being traded from the Green Bay Packers. On just 23 total snaps, Smith registered 3 solo tackles (2 TFL) and a sack — talk about efficiency.

WR Calvin Austin III also received a positive update, with Tomlin noting that he doesn’t “Anticipate any issue with him. Maybe slowed at early portions of the week.” This is particularly good news, as the team’s signing of All-Pro WR/special teamer Jamal Agnew led to some speculation that his availability would be up in the air.

The biggest question mark heading into this week may just be the availability of CB Donte Jackson, who’s started each game this season opposite Joey Porter Jr., having totaled three interceptions over nine games as a Steeler. If he were to miss, it would be especially troublesome, as cornerback Cory Trice Jr. continues to make his own way back from a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve after Week 3.