Steelers Injury Report: Starting Linebacker Among Defensive Stars To Miss Practice

It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to be without starting linebacker Alex Highsmith for their Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Highsmith, who left the win over the Los Angeles Chargers with a groin injury, did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. If Highsmith can’t go, the Steelers are expected to rely on Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal in his spot, and head coach Mike Tomlin is confident in both to fill in.

“Speaking of positional flexibility, Leal, throughout team development, has been playing outside linebacker and defensive line,” Tomlin told reporters, per Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley. “He did some last year so it’s not anything new for him. I don’t view that as a significant issue in terms of him elevating and getting more opportunity. It’s more of the same really. It’s probably more of what he desires to do because he definitively wants to play. This guy’s had a good team development process. And I’m excited about what he’s going to do with increased opportunities just as much as I am that Herbig did with his.”

Steelers fans probably panicked when they saw Najee Harris, T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward on the first injury report of the week, but the trio all received maintenance days and either didn’t practice or were limited in the session.

Quarterback Russell Wilson was a limited participant as well. The veteran signal-caller is working his way back from a calf injury while the Steelers continue to move forward with Justin Fields as the team’s starting quarterback.

Here is the full Steelers injury report:

DID NOT PARTCIPATE
RB Najee Harris, NIR — Rest
RB Jaylen Warren, Knee
LB Alex Highsmith, Groin
TE MyCole Pruitt, Knee

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
QB Russell Wilson, Calf
S DeShon Elliott, Quadricep
CB Donte Jackson, NIR — Rest
OG Isaac Seumalo, Pectoral
LB T.J. Watt, NIR — Rest
DT Cameron Heyward, NIR — Rest
DL Larry Ogunjobi, NIR — Rest

Fields could have a chance to exploit a weakened Colts secondary. Starting corner Kenny Moore II and depth corner Chris Lammons didn’t practice Wednesday while top edge rusher Kwity Paye also was absent from the session.

Here is the Colts full injury report:

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB Kenny Moore II, Hip
CB Chris Lammons, Knee/Ankle
DE Kwity Paye, Quadricep
T Braden Smith, Knee

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
LB Grant Stuard, Heel
DE Tyquan Lewis, Calf/Wrist

The Steelers look to stay undefeated Sunday and move to 4-0 against the Colts. Kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

MORE NFL: Steelers Quarterback Surprisingly Called Trade Option For Patriots