Alex Highsmith injury update: Mike Tomlin reveals why Steelers pass rusher left practice Sunday

Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith suffered a groin injury in practice on Sunday, coach Mike Tomlin said according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. The injury occurred during one-on-one drills and was the only one to report from the day.

Highsmith is getting ready to enter his sixth season with the Steelers, who drafted him in the third round out of Charlotte in the 2020 NFL Draft. He played in 11 games, all starts, in the 2024 season to finish with 45 total tackles (nine for loss), six sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble.

“Don’t know the severity of it,” Tomlin said. “Over here on the one-on-one pass rush, he stopped. He said he felt, maybe his groin, but we’ll evaluate it and be more definitive next time we talk — not only about the injury but the significance of it.”

Alex Highsmith is a key piece to the Steelers defense, having been a starter for the past four seasons. In his career overall, Highsmith has 287 tackles (49 for loss), 35.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Pittsburgh is coming off of a 10-7 finish this past season but lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. With the severity of the injury to Highsmith still unknown, they’ll hope for the best in the coming days.

TJ Watt contract extension: Steelers star describes changes in second negotiation of his career

Many Pittsburgh fans were practically holding their breath this offseason while the Steelers front office were in active nogiations with superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt. But for Watt, there was never a doubt, especially given how hands-on he was in the process.

Watt formally signed a record-shattering four-year, $123-million extension with the Steelers earlier this month, a deal that included $108 million guaranteed and averages $41 million per year to make the Wisconsin alum the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Watt opened up about his involvement in his second non-rookie contract negotiation during a Wednesday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show onsite at Steelers training camp from Latrobae, Pa.

“I’m always getting myself ready for the season regardless of what is happening,” Watt told McAfee on ESPN. “I think the second time around you’re more involved with your agents than the first time for sure, just because you’re older, more mature. You know how the business works. But we always knew a deal would get done and I’m glad it got done when it did.”

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.