Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will have one big injury question mark leading up to their Week 1 game against the New York Jets, and that is the health of outside linebacker Nick Herbig.
Herbig suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16, and has yet to return to full participation in practice.
In his Week 1 press conference on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin listed Herbig as the only player whose status for the opener against the Jets is in doubt. Tomlin ruled out rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, and said the rest of his 53-man roster is healthy and ready to go.
That leaves Herbig, who is the team’s No. 3 edge rushers behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and a key component of the team’s pass rush plan.
In 13 games last season, his second as a pro, Herbig finished with 5.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. He made five starts, replacing Highsmith while he dealt with a groin injury.
Highsmith has been dealing with another groin injury this preseason, but Tomlin said he expects him to be good to for Sunday’s opener.
Behind Herbig, the Steelers have just fourth-round rookie Jack Sawyer on their 53-man roster, with DeMarvin Leal eligible to be elevated from the practice squad if the team feels that it needs additional depth. The Steelers almost never go into a game with fewer than four available outside linebackers. Inside linebacker Malik Harrison and defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk have both played on the edge in short stints in the past and could do so in an emergency.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Key Steelers Defender Questionable vs. NY Jets
