Steelers Star ‘Leaning’ Toward Return From Injury Vs. Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers could get a key piece of their defense back for their matchup Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Star linebacker Alex Highsmith seems to be trending in the right direction after suffering an ankle sprain in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Highsmith was “leaning in on a return,” per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

“We’ll let his participation and the quality of that participation be our guide in terms of whether he gets back in or what degree he gets back in,” Tomlin said, per Adamski.

Highsmith, who has three sacks and 19 tackles in six games this season, hasn’t practiced since sustaining the injury and didn’t confirm if he participated in Pittsburgh’s light practice session Tuesday. He did say he’s “feeling much better” and has done some “running around.”

“Progressing every day, that’s my goal,” Highsmith told reporters, per Adamski. “I am aiming to try to get back out there. I’ve got to be confident that I can play on (the ankle).”

The Steelers have a couple of other reinforcements on defense that are “working their way back,” according to Tomlin.

Cornerback Cory Trice has practiced for nearly two weeks since going down with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Montravius Adams could practice this week after being on injured reserve since Oct. 22.

Trice and Adams feel like longer shots to play against the Bengals than Highsmith, but Tomlin isn’t ruling them out yet.

“We’ll leave the door open for those guys,” Tomlin said.

MORE NFL: Shoulder Steelers Utilize Justin Fields To Help Struggling Offense