Alex Highsmith T.J. Watt
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The Pittsburgh Steelers face edge rusher concerns entering the Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
The top three edge rushers for the Pittsburgh Steelers will dress for the first time during Week 2. But the Steelers still face concerns with edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig entering their home opener versus the Seattle Seahawks.
Highsmith didn’t have an injury designation entering Sunday. However, he was limited in practice for the first time this past week because of an ankle injury.
With the ailment popping up late in the week, it wouldn’t be super surprising if Highsmith was also limited in Week 2.
It’s also unclear how much Herbig will play. He missed Week 1 because of a hamstring injury. Herbig fully practiced Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday.
On Sunday, the Steelers didn’t include Highsmith or Herbig among their inactive players.
Pittsburgh’s inactive players list for Week 2 included cornerback Joey Porter Jr., safety DeShon Elliott, defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, offensive linemen Max Scharping and Andrus Peat and defensive end Esezi Otomewo.
Here’s what else you need to know about the Steelers-Seahawks showdown in Week 2.
T.J. Watt Ready for Steelers Home Opener, Alex Highsmith to Dress
Technically, T.J. Watt was also on the Steelers injury report this week. But that was simply because he received a veteran rest day Wednesday.
Watt fully practiced Thursday and Friday.
The 30-year-old will be looking for his first sack of the 2025 campaign versus the Seahawks in Week 2. But Watt still had an impact in the season opener. Against the New York Jets last Sunday, he posted five combined tackles, including two tackles for loss and one pass defense.
On Saturday, the Steelers elevated veteran linebacker Jon Rhattigan from the practice squad. That, though, was likely to boost the team’s special teams. If Rhattigan plays on defense, it will be at inside linebacker.
Pittsburgh not adding any additional edge rusher depth for Week 2 is a sign the team is confident Highsmith and Herbig will each be available for their normal amount of snaps. The Steelers also have rookie edge rusher Jack Sawyer available.
Sawyer played 15 defensive snaps and 23 snaps on special teams during Week 1.
DK Metcalf Set to Face Former Team in Seahawks
Week 1 for the Steelers featured a revenge matchup for quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the Jets. The team will have another “grudge match” involving new wide receiver DK Metcalf.
The Steelers acquired Metcalf from the Seahawks in March for a 2025 second-round pick. Metcalf played six seasons in Seattle, averaging 73 catches, 1,054 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per year.
The veteran receiver, though, told reporters he is not approaching Week 2 versus his former team any differently than another game.
“Y’all are going to make it a big deal,” Metcalf told reporters. “I’m not.
“It’s just another football game.”
In his Steelers debut last week, Metcalf posted four catches for 83 yards.
On Sunday, Metcalf, Rodgers and several other Steelers will be playing in front of the home crowd for a regular season game for the first time. The Steelers-Seahawks showdown will kick off at 1 pm ET on FOX.
The Steelers will face the Seahawks without Porter, Elliott or Harmon. The team ruled out all three of those players before Sunday.