Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Tuesday that outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will play against the New York Jets in the season opener on Sunday. Highsmith missed most of training camp and all three of the preseason games due to a groin injury.
Steelers rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon was the only player ruled out for the Jets game, while Tomlin listed outside linebacker Nick Herbig as questionable. Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III, who also missed most of training camp and all three of the preseason games with a abdominal muscle injury, will be active for Sunday.
Highsmith returned to practice two weeks ago after tweaking it at the early portion of training camp.
“I’m feeling great. Just been doing a lot of rehab over the past few weeks, just making myself right,” Highsmith said after practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Aug. 25. “They’re working me back in slowly, but I’ve been doing a lot of team stuff this week, so I feel really good, really close to 100%. So just being smart. It’s definitely frustrating that this thing happened again like it did last year.
“But I feel like I’ve done a lot, turned over a lot of stones to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Highsmith was asked if he feels confident he’ll be good to go for Week 1.
“Absolutely. 100%,” Highsmith said.
If Herbig can’t go on Sunday, rookie Jack Sawyer will have to fill the void.
Highsmith is confident in the Steelers’ collection at his position.
“It just shows the depth,” Highsmith said. “I mean, the same thing happened last year. There was times when I was down and times where others were down and guys stepped up. Nick came in and did his thing last year. … Having that, having quality guys all around is just so important.”
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Get Good News on Alex Highsmith’s Injury
