Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith appears healthy and secure despite questions about the defense after the team extended fellow edge rusher Nick Herbig earlier this year. Highsmith was active at practice on Monday, following the spring period when many veterans were absent, and he returned after missing a mandatory minicamp session due to illness. The team’s offseason workout, held Monday, was closed to the media, but a team photographer captured Highsmith on the field, signaling continuity ahead of the 2026 season.
In 2025, Highsmith delivered strong production with a team-high 9.5 sacks, 50 total tackles (including 15 for loss), 19 quarterback hits, three pass defenses, and one forced fumble across 13 games. As he enters his seventh season with the Steelers, Highsmith remains a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s pass-rush strategy as the organization fine-tunes its defense during OTAs and the approach to training camp.
Key highlights:
– Highsmith present at practice after illness-related absence from mandatory minicamp.
– Solid 2025 stat line: 9.5 sacks, 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits in 13 games.
– Team dynamics: Nick Herbig’s extension noted nearby, with Highsmith expected to remain a core defender.
