Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his standout performance in Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Highsmith recorded two sacks, one of which was a strip sack that rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon recovered, four tackles, three of them solo stops, three tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a pass defensed.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor came into Sunday’s game as the league’s leading rusher, recording 850 yards on 143 carries and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He had three scrimmage touchdowns in four of his eight games.
The Steelers knew that stopping Taylor was the key to the game, and they certainly accomplished that feat in Sunday’s 27-20 win over Indianapolis. The NFL MVP candidate was limited to 45 yards on 14 carries (3.2 average).
“We had a good plan going into it but at the end of the day, the plan don’t work unless we go out there and execute it,” Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said on the defense shutting down Taylor. “Going out there and be physical, getting off blocks and making plays. We did that. We went out there and got off blocks and made tackles. That’s where it started.”
Highsmith’s strip sack was one of six takeaways by the Steelers on Sunday. Five were forced by the defense and one came on a muffed punt by Josh Downs.
“We came out and we did what we know we can do this week,” Highsmith said. “We came out and we obviously stopped the run. That’s where it starts.
“And then our culture came alive. We had five turnovers. When we do that, we’re an amazing defense.
“We’ve got to put more performances like that together. I’m confident we’ll continue to stack this and play like this every week from here on out. We’ve got to continue to play like that.”
This is the third time Highsmith has won AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He also won the award in Week 2 of the 2023 season in a win over the Cleveland Browns when he had a pick six and a strip sack. Highsmith also won the award in Week 11 of the 2022 season against the New Orleans Saints.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith Receives League Award
