The Pittsburgh Steelers will play another matchup without starting edge rusher Alex Highsmith in Week 4.
The team announced on social media Thursday night the coaching staff has officially ruled out Highsmith for Sunday’s matchup versus the Minnesota Vikings. The edge rusher didn’t even travel with the team to Dublin, Ireland.
The Steelers and Vikings will play the first ever regular season contest in NFL history on Ireland soil Sunday.
Highsmith didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday because of an ankle injury. The edge rusher sustained the ailment during Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks.
Highsmith didn’t play last Sunday against the New England Patriots. During Week 1, the edge rusher had eight combined tackles, including one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits.
Steelers’ Alex Highsmith to Miss Week 4
Following Thursday’s practice, the Steelers flew to Ireland. The team will practice in Dublin on Friday as their last preparation for the Vikings showdown.
Kickoff for the game will occur at 9:30 am on the east coast Sunday.
It’s not overly shocking that Highsmith didn’t make the trip. He has yet to return to the practice field since leaving in Week 2 with the ankle issue.
Without Highsmith, Nick Herbig will start in Week 4 opposite T.J. Watt along the edge for the Steelers. Herbig actually missed Week 1 because of an injury. But returning in Week 2, Herbig has five combined tackles, including three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in two games this season.
He also has one sack, one pass defense, an interception and forced fumble.
The Steelers will have bye week when they return from Ireland. Therefore, Highsmith will have an extra week of rest for his ankle before needing to prepare for the team’s next contest.
Pittsburgh will host the Cleveland Browns during Week 6 on Sunday, October 12.
Other Steelers Starters Trending Toward Playing vs. Vikings?
Just like they do when they play in the United States, the Steelers plan to practice Friday (as previously mentioned). After practice, the injury status of several other Pittsburgh players will be more clear.
But if other players also didn’t make the trip to Ireland along with Highsmith, the Steelers likely would have also announced that Thursday night.
That means other players who also didn’t play in Week 3, such as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety DeShon Elliott, made the trip. Again, their statuses will be more clear Friday, but they both appear to have a chance to play versus the Vikings.
Unlike Highsmith, Porter and Elliott have each practiced this week. Both defensive backs were limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Starting linebacker Patrick Queen is another defender on the Steelers injury report this week. But Queen full practiced Thursday.
The Steelers also have several veteran players not practicing or limited in practice Wednesday and/or Thursday due to rest. That list included Darius Slay, Jaylen Warren, Isaac Seumalo, Jonnu Smith, T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.
It probably isn’t the worst week to get as many veterans as possible some extra rest. Roughly two days after an 8-hour flight to Ireland, the Steelers will face the Vikings in the franchise’s second ever international series game.
In London during Week 4 of the 2013 NFL season, the Steelers also faced the Vikings. Minnesota won the matchup 34-27.
Steelers Deliver Bad News on Alex Highsmith Ahead of Historic Ireland Game