Highsmith (pectoral) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith recorded two sacks in Week 10 against the Chargers, and it's unclear when he picked up the pec issue. He'll probably have to return to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have any chance to play in Week 11 versus the Bengals.

Highsmith finished Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers with 2.0 sacks.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith was responsible for two of the Steelers' five sacks on Justin Herbert on Sunday, both of which came in the third quarter. Highsmith has recorded 2.0 sacks in each of his last two games, and his 5.5 sacks on the season is tied with Nick Herbig for second most on the Steelers behind T.J. Watt (6.0).

Highsmith (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith sustained an ankle injury in Week 2 against Seattle, and it appeared to have been aggravated for the first time since Week 6. Since returning from his first ankle injury, Highsmith has logged 13 tackles (seven solo), including 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and added one pass defensed. The 28-year-old linebacker managed to log a full practice Friday and fend off an injury designation, meaning he is set to suit up for Sunday's game.

Highsmith (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith first hurt his ankle in Week 2 against Seattle and has been managing the issue off-and-on since. He's been able to suit up in each of Pittsburgh's past four contests but didn't practice this Wednesday ahead of Thursday's limited session. It's possible that the Steelers are simply managing Highsmith's practice reps, but if he's unable to log a full session Friday, he could enter the weekend with an injury designation for Sunday's clash against the Chargers.

Highsmith (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith had a big performance in Sunday's win over the Colts, logging 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. However, he was sidelined to begin the week of preparation for a Week 10 matchup against the Chargers. Highsmith missed two games earlier in the season with an ankle issue, so it's possible the injury was aggravated, or he could simply be getting a veteran's day off.

Highsmith recorded four tackles (three solo), including 2.0 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble during the Steelers' 27-20 win over the Colts on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Both of Highsmith's sacks came in the second half, with the latter resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Derrick Harmon and led to a Chris Boswell 46-yard field goal six plays later in the fourth quarter. Highsmith is now up to 3.5 sacks over six regular-season games, which is tied with Keeanu Benton for third most on the Steelers behind T.J. Watt (5.0) and Nick Herbig (4.5).

Highsmith (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith was limited Wednesday, but Thursday's full participation suggests Pittsburgh's Week 5 bye provided enough time for Highsmith to recover from an ankle injury that had sidelined him since Week 2. He's set to reprise his usual role Sunday against the Browns as a key piece of Pittsburgh's pass rush, having recorded at least 6.0 sacks in each of the previous four seasons, including 14.5 in 2022.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Highsmith (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game versus Minnesota, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith will have to sit out at least one more game as he continues to recover from the high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2 versus the Seahawks. His next opportunity to suit up will come in Week 6 versus the Browns. In the meantime, 2023 fourth-rounder Nick Herbig projects to start on the edge opposite T.J. Watt.

Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Highsmith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Highsmith suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Steelers' 31-17 loss to the Seahawks this past Sunday. High-ankle sprains typically mean a multi-week absence, though it appears his injury isn't that severe as Tomlin relayed Monday that the 2020 third-rounder is not expected to spend time on injured reserve, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nick Herbig will likely step into a starting role opposite T.J. Watt and Jack Sawyer should see an uptick in defensive snaps in a rotational edge role for as long as Highsmith is sidelined. Highsmith's next opportunity to suit up is Week 4 against the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Monday that Highsmith (ankle) is not likely to be placed on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old exited Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with what Tomlin described as a high-ankle sprain, but it now appears the injury isn't as serious as it was previously considered. Highsmith played 10 defensive snaps and recorded one total tackle before leaving the Week 2 affair. Even so, he's unlikely to suit up for Pittsburgh's Week 3 matchup against the Patriots, meaning Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig are expected to have expanded defensive roles.