UPDATE: Slay is questionable to return, per Steelers’ Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten.
#Steelers CB Darius Slay has a hand injury and is questionable to return to today's game.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) November 2, 2025
There’s been no update to Highsmith’s status.
Our original story is below.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pittsburgh Steelers CB Darius Slay was injured on the team’s first defensive possession in the team’s Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Slay landed hard and was tended to by trainers on the field. Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Slay was up and walking off and the injury appeared to be a hand/wrist injury.
He headed to the locker room after leaving with the injury, per Pryor.
Slay goes straight from the medical tent to the locker room still holding his hand.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 2, 2025
Earlier in the drive, OLB Alex Highsmith, who had an early run stop to bring down RB Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, limped off the field ahead of a third down and the CBS broadcast showed him in visible pain.
Highsmith missed two games earlier this season with a knee injury that he suffered in Week 2. He also missed time last season with an injury. Slay has had various bumps and bruises this season but hasn’t missed any significant time. The Steelers’ secondary is thin, especially at safety, but Slay had been losing snaps in recent weeks, though with Jalen Ramsey at safety, he may have played more today.
Slay was replaced by James Pierre with Brandin Echols working in the slot and Joey Porter Jr. at the other outside corner. Pierre has played well in spurts this season, but he may be needed in a bigger role today. He has had an interception against the Colts in his career.
So far this season, Highsmith has 19 tackles but just 1.5 sacks. The Steelers have struggled to get pressure in recent weeks, and if Highsmith misses time, then it will make it even harder. He was replaced by OLB Nick Herbig on the drive, and Herbig has been impressive this season.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Recommended for you