Steelers’ lead NFL in forced fumbles Ruled Out for Dublin Showdown vs. Vikings
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Pittsburgh, PA — September 25, 2025 — The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 at Croke Park, Dublin, without star outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who has been officially ruled out due to a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. The team confirmed Thursday that Highsmith, who also missed the Week 3 win over the New England Patriots, will not travel to Ireland for the NFL’s first regular-season game in the country.
Highsmith, 28, suffered the injury after playing just 10 snaps in the Seahawks’ 31-17 loss. He sat out Wednesday and Thursday practices, signaling a recovery timeline extending at least two more weeks. The third-round pick (2020, Charlotte 49ers) has battled injuries before, missing time in 2024 for groin and ankle issues and dealing with a groin injury during 2025 training camp. Despite limited action this season, Highsmith shone in Week 1 against the Jets, recording one sack and eight pressures over 57 snaps.
A standout in 2022, Highsmith led the NFL with five forced fumbles and notched a team-high 14.5 sacks, earning a four-year, $68 million extension in 2023. His career stats include 283 tackles, 30.5 sacks, and nine forced fumbles, making his absence a significant blow. The Steelers hope he returns after their Week 5 bye, potentially for Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.
In Highsmith’s absence, Nick Herbig has stepped up, delivering a strip sack and eight pressures against the Patriots, where Pittsburgh (2-1) forced five turnovers. T.J. Watt, fresh off a $123 million extension, added two sacks, while rookie Jack Sawyer and DeMarvin Leal bolstered the pass rush. The defense, ranked fifth in yards allowed (386.0 per game) but 11th in points (25.7), remains effective but faces a tough Vikings offense led by Brian Flores.
Steelers Nation awaits Highsmith’s return to strengthen a unit battling injuries to Joey Porter Jr., DeShon Elliott, and Max Scharping. As Pittsburgh aims to maintain momentum in Dublin, Herbig and company must fill the void left by one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
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