The Steelers walked into Week 12 expecting a routine buildup. Instead, their plans shifted the moment Alex Highsmith showed up as limited on Wednesday and then slid to doubtful by Friday. He is one of their most efficient disruptors, sitting inside the league’s top fifteen in pressures per game, and his recent stretch included four sacks across two healthy outings. That surge made his setback feel heavier, especially with a road matchup approaching.
Jul 24, 2025; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Highsmith’s [issue began during the Colts game](https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/onsi/news/pittsburgh-steelers-alex-highsmith-doubtful-bears-game). Also, he absorbed a brutal hit while chasing a bootleg and stayed down for a moment before jogging to the sideline. The team initially classified it as a pectoral injury, and he finished the night with apparent discomfort even though he tried to push through a few more snaps. The following morning, swelling developed, and the medical staff pulled him from early-week work as a precaution. What initially appeared minor slowly evolved into a pattern, and the Steelers eventually confirmed a previously doubtful tag.
This is unusual territory for him. He never missed a scheduled start in his first four seasons. Now he has already missed six of the ten possible games in his fifth. That sudden shift forces the staff to rethink rotations, especially against a Bears offense that has started playing cleaner football. Caleb Williams has cut down on reckless movement, and his sack rate has dropped by nearly fifty percent over the last month. Pittsburgh needs consistent edge pressure to keep him unsettled, and losing Highsmith changes how quickly they can close pockets.
Another layer to the week involves Aaron Rodgers. Reports indicate that his broken wrist is healing steadily. During practice, he wore a special brace that allowed his thumb to move, enabling him to toss the ball with greater force. Should the doctors approve, there’s a solid chance he’ll play. If they don’t, Rudolph’s ready. He threw for 257 yards and scored last time out.
Chicago’s defense under Dennis Allen mixes pressure with coverage disguises. They blitz more than the league average, although their front four ranks in the lower third in pressure win rate. That creates opportunities for timing-based throws if protection holds. A-Rod thrives in this setup; yet with Rudolph, staying out of brutal downs matters most. Keeping plays flowing helps the attack stay steady.
On defense, the Steelers can handle it if Highsmith misses this time. Jack Sawyer brought pressure eight times in recent weeks. Nick Herbig keeps going hard every snap. Besides that, T.J. Watt’s still a top pass rusher in the league.
Pittsburgh also expects help elsewhere. Jaylen Warren and Darius Slay are trending toward returns, which gives the roster a chance to stabilize after weeks of inconsistency. The path to a win in Chicago stays straightforward. The offense must protect the quarterback and sustain drives, and the defense must have must pockets before Williams gets comfortable. Highsmith’s situation complicates the plan, but the blueprint’s core remains intact.