PITTSBURGH —Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is doubtful to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, and three more Steelers are questionable.
Highsmith said there's still some optimism that he could be able to return this week, but admitted that missing his fourth game this season due to injury has been frustrating.
"It's definitely frustrating for that to happen, but I'm confident then when I'm back, I'll be stronger," he said. "Just taking it one day at a time."
Highsmith suffered the injury early in the Steelers' Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers . He finished that game, but missed last week's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals .
"It was actually in the second quarter of the Chargers game," Highsmith said. "I think it happened when I hit (Justin) Herbert kinda low that one time and my arm extended back. I kinda felt it, but I guess I made it worse throughout the game in the second half."
If Highsmith can't play, Nick Herbig will once again replace him at right outside linebacker, with Jack Sawyer stepping into the third outside linebacker role and DeMarvin Leal a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.
In addition to Highsmith, three other Steelers are questionable for Sunday's game: quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left wrist fracture), defensive tackle Cam Heyward (ankle) and cornerback Darius Slay (concussion).
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at practice on Nov. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
| Player |
Roster |
Injury |
WED |
THU |
FRI |
Status |
| DT Cam Heyward |
Active |
Ankle |
DNP (rest) |
DNP (rest) |
LP |
QUES |
| Active |
Broken left wrist |
DNP |
LP |
LP |
QUES |
|
| Active |
Ankle |
DNP |
LP |
FP |
IN |
|
| WR Ke'Shawn Williams |
Active |
Concussion |
LP |
FP |
FP |
IN |
| OLB Alex Highsmith |
Active |
Pectoral |
DNP |
LP |
LP |
DBT |
| CB Darius Slay |
Active |
Concussion |
FP |
FP |
LP |
QUES |
| ILB Cole Holcomb |
Active |
Illness |
FP |
FP |
FP |
IN |
| Active |
Pectoral |
LP |
LP |
DNP |
IN |
|
| IR (Week 13) |
Hyperextended right knee |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR |
|
| IR (Week 8) |
Right high ankle sprain |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR |
|
| IR (Week 7) |
Hamstring |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR |
|
| CB Donte Kent |
IR (Week 6) |
Right foot/ankle |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR |
| CB Cory Trice |
IR (Season) |
Hamstring, Knee |
DNP |
IR |
IR |
IR-SEASON |
| DT Daniel Ekuale |
IR (Season) |
Left ACL tear |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR-SEASON |
| IR (Season) |
Knee |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR-SEASON |
|
| IR (Season) |
ACL sprain |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR-SEASON |
|
| DT Dean Lowry |
IR (Season) |
Knee |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR-SEASON |
| IR (Season) |
Achilles |
IR |
IR |
IR |
IR-SEASON |
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith Doubtful, 3 Questionable vs. Bears
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