Steelers Expect Star Linebacker To Return This Week Vs. Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting atop the AFC North and are only getting stronger with the return of a key defender.

Pittsburgh has had one of the best defenses all season long, and it’s been a major reason that they are 9-3 through their first 12 games of the campaign. The Steelers rank sixth in the National Football League in both points allowed per game (18.7) and total yards allowed per game (311.0). It’s been a dominant season, but the stat that may shock some is how low they’ve been in the sack category — having 29 on the campaign, ranking 19th in the NFL. While T.J. Watt has done his job with 9.5 sacks this season, a major reason that they’ve lacked is injuries. Well, the good news is that their other star pass-rusher should be back this weekend.

Talking to the media Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that linebacker Alex Highsmith is “fully expected” to be back on the field on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns — and couldn’t contain his excitement.

“It’s pretty exciting, isn’t it,” Tomlin said, as transcribed by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “Let’s see where the roads lead, man, we got a week of prep. … I’m so excited about the potential of getting Alex Highsmith back and the development of (Nick) Herbig, the acclimation of Preston (Smith). You can’t run out of rush men, particularly in December, and so it’s exciting.”

Highsmith has been out of action since Week 10 against the Washington Commanders and has missed six total games this season. In the six games that he has played, he’s been a disruptor as expected — totaling three sacks and ten quarterback hits.

With the 27-year-old back on the pass rush, Pittsburgh should be able to cause even more problems for quarterbacks. Highsmith and company will get their shot on Sunday against Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns.

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