The Steelers inactive listing at present consists of obtain George Pickens, who was on the harm report late this week with a hamstring harm.
For the Steelers protection they’re getting again exterior linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith missed the final three video games with an ankle harm, however is a go for at present’s sport towards the Cleveland Browns.
“Alex Highsmith is a playmaker,” stated fellow exterior linebacker T.J. Watt. “You suppose splash once you consider him. Big time performs in huge time moments. To be capable of have the depth that we now have at exterior linebacker, I really feel very comfy with having all 4 of us wholesome, 5 when you embrace (Jeremiah) Moon as properly.
“It permits us to take a breather. You do not must play 90 plus p.c of snaps which it seems like we have been enjoying this season. So, anytime I can get a breather and let (Nick) Herbig or Preston (Smith) go in there and get some good high quality reps, it is a profit to all of us.”
Watt getting a breather due to having everybody wholesome is one thing that may solely profit the protection.
“It’s rather a lot. It actually is,” stated Watt of the workload. “You watch movie, and also you self-evaluate, particularly after the Thursday sport when you’ve gotten a weekend to essentially break down and self-evaluate, and simply actually have a look at percentages and performs and snaps I’m enjoying per sport, and it is an excessive amount of.
“This previous week, I attempted to dial it again a bit bit and we will discover a completely satisfied medium so when I’m on the market, I’m going 100% on a regular basis and never resting on the sphere.”
And simply the considered having that group wholesome is one thing that has Coach Mike Tomlin feeling good.
“It’s fairly thrilling, is not it?” stated Tomlin. “Let’s see the place the roads lead.
“You cannot run out of rushmen. I’m so excited concerning the potential of getting Alex Highsmith again and the event of (Nick) Herbig, the acclimation of Preston (Smith). You cannot run out of rushmen, significantly in December.
“It’s thrilling. Make no mistake, there’s sufficient work for all events concerned and we’re enthusiastic about sorting that out as we put together.”
While Highsmith’s return has Tomlin completely satisfied, on the flip facet it is one thing Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey has to pay attention to.
“Obviously, he is one of many prime rushers on this league,” stated Dorsey. “He generates strain. He’s a excessive effort man. He can win with pace, win with energy, and with the depth they’ve on the place after which clearly (T.J.) Watt, on the opposite facet, it is a difficult combo.”
The full listing of inactives is beneath.
