The Pittsburgh Steelers will face their AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens, without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Highsmith is “week to week” after he injured his left ankle late in a 28-27 win over Washington last Sunday. Highsmith hurt his ankle while chasing Washington’s quarterback, Jayden Daniels, in the fourth quarter.
This is the second time this season that Highsmith has been sidelined. Earlier, a groin injury caused him to miss three games.
Highsmith’s spot in the starting lineup will be taken by either Nick Herbig or Preston Smith. Herbig has been out for a month due to a hamstring injury, but Tomlin said he is “comfortable” that Herbig will be ready for the game when Pittsburgh (7-2) hosts Baltimore (7-3). The Steelers also brought in veteran edge rusher Preston Smith from Green Bay last week.
Wide receiver Calvin Austin, who left the game late in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury, is expected to play.
However, Tomlin is less certain about cornerback Donte Jackson, who injured his hamstring against Washington. While Tomlin said Jackson felt good on Tuesday, he mentioned that it might not mean much when practice starts on Wednesday.
The game against Baltimore kicks off a tough stretch for the Steelers, with six of their remaining games against AFC North teams.
“I’ll play them whenever they schedule us,” Tomlin said. “We got no control over schedule. Our goal is to beat everybody.”
