Maybe Alex Highsmith Won't Miss TOO Much Time

What They're Saying

Rapoport: "That's good news, an indication that it's not as serious as first believed. IR would knock him out four games."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

The timing of Pittsburgh's bye is likely factoring into the decision here. The Steelers visit New England in Week 3, face Minnesota at home in Week 4, and then get their bye.

Assuming Highsmith misses the next two games, that would give him three weeks to potentially return for a Week 6 home date with Cleveland. Placing the veteran on IR now would knock him out through at least the Week 7 visit to Cincinnati.

We'll see, of course, how Highsmith progresses. Keeping him off IR doesn't necessarily mean Pittsburgh won't lose Highsmith for four games. It would mean they hope to get him back within that range.

Nick Herbig will start opposite T.J. Watt in Highsmith's absence, amid a crumbling defense that's dealing with injuries at every level.

Herbig carries some IDP upside for deeper leagues in matchups with the Pats and Vikings the next two weeks. But the defense on whole has looked terrible while allowing 394 yards and 32 points to the Jets and then 395 and 31 to the Seahawks.