Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — While filling in for the injured Alex Highsmith, third-year Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig has made his presence felt. Even when the former, another standout edge rusher, is healed from his ankle ailment and the Steelers have, as their position coach Denzel Martin termed it, “the full metal jacket,” the latter won’t fade away for Mike Tomlin’s defense.
“We are not gonna limit Nick Herbig,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Wednesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “He is showing up every week. He is disruptive. He’s a really good player for us and we’re gonna continue to find ways to get him on the field.”
Herbig has posted an interception, 2.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits in Highsmith’s absence. He’s demonstrated well-rounded abilities with the opportunities he’s been given.
“Nick’s a good football player. That’s just what he is,” said Martin, the outside linebackers coach. “He can do everything. People like to think he’s just a pass guy, but if you watch the tape from this past week, he was run, pass, anything we need him to do, special teams. He just does it all.”
Martin added that he believes Herbig, Highsmith and T.J. Watt are all starting-caliber players. Watt has three sacks over the past two weeks. He also intercepted Carson Wentz in the Steelers’ 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin on Sunday.
Austin was asked if he would try to find ways to get all three on the field at the same time.
“Those things are always week-to-week,” Austin said. “You’ve gotta see what you’re going against and what’s gonna give you the best chance to win. If we have that opportunity to get those three guys out there when we get Alex back, I will absolutely do it.”
Highsmith had a sack in the Steelers’ season-opening victory over the New York Jets. Last season, he had six in total and missed five games due to injury.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Nick Herbig Forcing Steelers Coaches to Make Tough Decisions
