Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin thought rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer took a significant leap against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday compared to his Week 1 performance.
“I thought it was a significant improvement in the quality of his play on defense and in [special] teams,” Tomlin said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “But I think that’s a reasonable expectation for a lot of young people. He had been in stadium. I thought he played with more emotion, I thought he was more vocal, I thought he was more productive, probably because of the comfort.
“I’m excited about the extended opportunities that he’s gonna continue to get, particularly with [Alex] Highsmith being out now. Oftentimes, one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. He’s gotten some opportunity because of [Nick] Hebig’s lack of availability and now that Herbig’s back, he’ll continue to get some more opportunities because of Highsmith’s lack of availability.”
Sawyer had six tackles (4 solo), two tackles for loss and one sack against Seattle.
Sawyer thanked T.J. Watt after getting his first career NFL sack.
“On my sack, he had three guys hunt him, so I told him thank you,” Sawyer said.
#Steelers rookie Jack Sawyer registered his first NFL sack against the Seahawks. He had T.J. Watt to thank (literally). #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/HDq2aSeOfq
— Brendan Howe (@bybrendanhowe) September 15, 2025
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk (high ankle) and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (high ankle sprain) for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
Tomlin said Loudermilk’s high ankle sprain is a multiple weeks injury, while Highsmith’s is less significant.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Highsmith will not to be placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s game. Being placed on IR would’ve knocked him out four games.
Highsmith did not return to the game on Sunday after suffering the injury. Highsmith tweaked his ankle during the Steelers’ Friday practice, but suited up for the matchup against Sam Darnold’s offense.
Highsmith missed all of the preseason with a groin injury suffered during a 1-on-1 drill during training camp. He healed up from that ailment quickly enough to get back on the field for the Steelers’ season opener against the New York Jets. In that one, Highsmith had the Steelers’ only sack against former teammate Justin Fields, who rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
With Highsmith sidelined, Sawyer looks forward to showcasing his talents.
“For me, it’s just going about my business as I do every week and being ready for anything and whenever my number is called to be out there to go out there and play the best I can help this team win and be successful” Sawyer said. “I’m praying Alex gets back healthy, and who knows? I’m just trying to be ready so whenever my number is called, I can step in there and there’s no dropoff. Because he’s an exceptional player.”
*Alan Saunders...
