Pittsburgh Steelers lose another key pass rusher after T.J. Watt injury

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered another injury on Monday night to their edge rusher room. Standout third outside linebacker Nick Herbig suffered a hamstring strain, something he dealt with in the preseason and an injury that forced him to miss the first game of the year.

The team did not mention just how severe the injury was, but head coach Mike Tomlin noted that Herbig would be evaluated and they would have an update on him later. In his place, the team continued to play Alex Highsmith and leaned more on outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, a rookie out of Ohio State.

T.J. Watt is still battling a partially collapsed lung that happened during his Wednesday dry needling treatment last week, and it is unknown just how long he will be sidelined with the issue.

If Watt and Herbig can not play, Sawyer would get his first career start. They would also see more of DeMarvin Leal, who was elevated from the practice squad for this game. Leal was the team’s third round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Steelers also have edge rusher Julius Welschof on their practice squad.

Guard Isaac Seumalo also suffered a triceps injury that forced him to exit the game and he did not return. Spencer Anderson became the starting left guard and Ryan McCollum entered the game in the team’s jumbo package.