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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.

49ers Defensive Back  "Fires Back" at Kyren Williams on IG Live After Thrilling 26-23 Victory Over Rams
49ers Defensive Back  "Fires Back" at Kyren Williams on IG Live After Thrilling 26-23 Victory Over Rams San Francisco, October , 2025 – 49ers fans, get ready to celebrate! The heart-pounding 26-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams in “Thursday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium (October 3, 2025) wasn’t just a turning point but also the stage for a top-tier “trash talk” performance from defensive back Deommodore Lenoir aimed at Rams running back Kyren Williams. The feud ignited in the second quarter when Williams scored two receiving touchdowns (one a 19-yard play) from Matthew Stafford, complete with a taunting finger-point and “high-step” mocking Lenoir after the score. But the drama flipped late in the game: Williams fumbled the ball right at the 1-yard line with just 1:07 remaining, allowing rookie Alfred Collins (49ers) to recover, shattering the Rams’ chance to take the lead. In overtime, after Eddy Piñeiro’s field goal put the 49ers up 26-23, Williams was stopped cold on a critical fourth-and-1, sealing San Francisco’s victory. On Saturday (October 4), Lenoir took to Instagram Live, roasting Williams with a sharp tone:   “His mouth is as big as SoFi Stadium itself! Pointing at me after a touchdown? Really? Who does he think he is? Let me tell you, he needs to learn how to hold onto the ball before opening his mouth to brag. Fumbling at the 1-yard line, then getting locked down on fourth-and-1? Don’t come at me when your whole team got crushed by us!” The video went viral on X, racking up over 16,000 views, sparking a frenzy among fans of both teams. Williams recorded 64 rushing yards (4.6 yards per carry, 14 carries), 66 receiving yards, and 2 TDs, but his critical fumble (one of 7 lost fumbles since 2023, highest among NFL RBs) drew heavy criticism. Williams took accountability: “I let the team down.” Head coach Sean McVay called the fourth-and-1 decision “terrible” but defended his player’s spirit. The win pushed the 49ers to around 3-2, regaining momentum after being swept by the Rams in 2024. Lenoir proved he’s not just a defensive wall but a “trash talk” warrior! 49ers fans, keep cheering—the NFC West is ours for the taking!