Alex Highsmith Injury: Won't play against New England

Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Highsmith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Highsmith suffered a high ankle sprain during the Steelers' 31-17 loss to the Seahawks this past Sunday. High ankle sprains typically mean a multiweek absence, though it appears Highsmith's injury isn't that severe, as Tomlin relayed Monday that the 2020 third-rounder is not expected to spend time on injured reserve, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nick Herbig will likely step into a starting role opposite T.J. Watt, and Jack Sawyer should see an uptick in defensive snaps in a rotational edge role for as long as Highsmith is sidelined. Highsmith's next opportunity to suit up is Week 4 against the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 28.