PITTSBURGH — The Steelers will head into their AFC North showdown against the rival Baltimore Ravens without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Highsmith is “week-to-week” after Highsmith twisted his left ankle late in a 28-27 victory over Washington on Sunday. Highsmith sustained the injury while chasing down Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the fourth quarter.
This is the second time this season Highsmith has missed time. A groin injury forced him to sit out three games earlier this season.
Highsmith will be replaced in the starting lineup by either Nick Herbig or Preston Smith, who was acquired last week in trade with the Green Bay Packers. Herbig has been out a month with a hamstring injury, but Tomlin said he’s “comfortable” that Herbig will be available when Pittsburgh (7-2) hosts Baltimore (7-3).
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III, who left late in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed issue, is also expected to play. Tomlin is less sure about cornerback Donte Jackson, who injured a hamstring against Washington. Tomlin said Jackson felt good Tuesday, but that might not mean anything when practice begins Wednesday.
The meeting with Baltimore is the start of a tough finishing stretch for the Steelers that includes six games against AFC North opponents.
“I’ll play them whenever they schedule us,” Tomlin said. “We got no control over schedule. Our goal is to beat everybody.”
