A month out didn’t blunt the impact that Alex Highsmith could make for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Playing for the first time since suffering an ankle injury late in a Nov. 10 win at the Washington Commanders, Highsmith had a sack on the third defensive play from scrimmage of a 27-14 victory against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
“Happy to be back and out there making plays with the guys,” said Highsmith, who also was credited an additional hit on quarterback Jameis Winston.
Highsmith’s return gave the Steelers quite a four-man outside linebackers unit. For the first time since Week 3, starters T.J. Watt and Highsmith and top backup Nick Herbig were healthy. Additionally, the Steelers added veteran edge rusher Preston Smith (69½ career sacks) at the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
“I know (opposing offensive) tackles, their heads are spinning trying to keep up with all those guys,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said.
Ogunjobi injured
The only injury of note affecting the Steelers in the wake of Sunday’s game was defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who suffered a groin injury during the first quarter and did not return.
Tomlin did not provide an extensive prognosis regarding Ogunjobi going forward.
“We have a bunch of bumps and bruises associated with play,” Tomlin said, “but (Ogunjobi) is the only thing that’s really worth mentioning at this point.”
Inactives
Receiver George Pickens was the only Steelers player out Sunday because of injury. Their healthy scratches were cornerback Cory Trice Jr., guard Max Scharing and defensive end Dean Lowry, with Kyle Allen serving as the third quarterback.
Trice did not play despite being activated to the 53-man roster this week after a 10-week stint on injured reserve.
For the Browns, Bailey Zappe was the third quarterback and wide receivers Cedric Tillman (concussion) and Jamari Thrash (shoulder), running back D’Onta Foreman, cornerback Chigozie Anusiem, defensive tackle Sam Kamara (concussion) and defensive end James Houston were inactive.
