The Pittsburgh Steelers, down Alex Highsmith, began Nick Herbig two video games in a row. He left within the second half of final evening’s sport with a hamstring harm, nevertheless, leaving the group very skinny off the sting past T.J. Watt. Cameron Heyward is aware of there’s no getting across the reality the accidents put the Steelers in a decent spot.
“Shedding Nick [Herbig], we had been type of makeshifting elements”, Heyward stated with a nervous giggle, by way of the Steelers’ web site. “Guys stepped as much as change, however, man, it was robust sledding. However that’s a part of the sport”.
Beginning OLB Alex Highsmith suffered a groin harm in Week 3, inflicting him to overlook the previous two video games. The Steelers began Herbig in his place, on the time the one different edge rusher on the roster past Watt. He had a reasonably quiet debut begin with simply two tackles in Indianapolis, however on Sunday, he cut up Watt’s a hundredth profession sack.
Sadly, the Steelers needed to make do with out him for the ultimate third of the sport. Herbig exited with about 20 minutes left to play, struggling a hamstring harm. After DeMarvin Leal additionally left with a neck harm, that left simply Jeremiah Moon to pair with Watt.
Moon spent the primary 4 weeks of the season on the Reserve/Injured Listing. He solely simply returned to follow this previous week, the Steelers activating him to their 53-man roster. Taking part in largely in aid of Herbig, he made one deal with throughout the sport.
“I’ll have to observe the movie on how Moon did, however he’s ready rather well since he’s been right here”, Watt stated of the final man standing after Herbig and Leal. “It’s the next-man-up mentality; all the time has been”.
The Steelers chosen Nick Herbig within the fourth spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft. He proved productive in restricted snaps as a rookie, graduating to prime backup this season. On Sunday, he completed with two tackles, half a sack, and the fumble restoration from stated sack.
Shortly earlier than that strip-sack, Herbig made an enormous play with a six-yard loss on a jet sweep. Sadly, the Steelers gave up a Third-and-14 conversion albeit with a ravishing play by CeeDee Lamb. Alternatively, it gave Watt and Herbig the chance to make historical past.
The Steelers didn’t rule Nick Herbig out till about 4 minutes left within the sport. We don’t as but know the severity of his hamstring harm, however they’ll’t actually afford to load up the Reserve/Injured Listing. They’re already arguably at their most capability, allowed solely eight return designations. They’ve already used one on Moon and Dylan Prepare dinner, and can want ones for Cory Trice Jr., Ben Skowronek, Tyler Matakevich, probably Troy Fautanu, and maybe Logan Lee. That leaves maybe one out there return slot left open if they should shelve any individual else.
