Week 4 Injury Report (Colts).
The Steelers continued their preparation for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, with the next man up mentality in full effect this week.
Injuries in the first three weeks of the season have tested the depth of the team, and so far, the response has been strong.
That is expected to continue this week as linebacker Alex Highsmith is dealing with a groin injury, and second-year linebacker Nick Herbig is working in his place.
Highsmith, who was forced to leave the Chargers game last week, isn’t surprised at the manner Herbig has stepped up.
Herbig finished the game with two sacks, including one Highsmith watched on television from the athletic training room.
“He balled out. I knew he was going to,” said Highsmith. “It’s awesome having a guy like that who comes in, is able to make plays. He is only going to get better and better.
“I was in there watching the game in the training room and I called the play before he even got his sack. It’s awesome to see him go out there and ball. He’s worked for it. It’s paying off for him. I am excited to see how he continues to get better every single week.”
Highsmith is encouraged by the depth the Steelers have on defense, something that can only benefit them as they deal with injuries.
“It’s been huge. Having the depth is huge,” said Highsmith. “Guys come in and are able to make plays for us, Nick being the prime example. Also having guys like Montravius (Adams).
“Having a bunch of guys is huge for us when guys do go down, guys are able to step up and make big plays.”
The same next man up mentality has also been prevalent on special teams. With just three games played, the team lost Cameron Johnston, Tyler Matakevich and Ben Skowronek, who are all currently on the Reserve/Injured List.
Others have had to step up, though.
“Special teams, our game is adaptation,” said special teams captain Miles Killebrew. “That’s something that we have to do. So, guys who are available to play on special teams, it’s because they have that ability to adapt. And so collectively we adapt, and we keep pushing.”
And those who have kept pushing include punter Corliss Waitman, who was signed after Johnston was injured in Week 1. Waitman has been solid so far, and Killebrew has been impressed.
“He’s been doing a good job,” said Killebrew. “Corliss has done a solid job. I think we netted over 50 yards this last game, which is incredible. Anything over 40 yards is great. And the fact that he got it above 50, is amazing. He’s been doing a great job. And we’re doing a great job trying to protect him.”
Rookie receiver Roman Wilson continues to battle back from an ankle injury that has prevented him from seeing the field yet on game day, but he is making progress in practice.
Coach Mike Tomlin said work is the key factor for Wilson to earn a hat on game day, and with him being a rookie, sometimes it takes a little extra work.
“He has to keep working. It’s very difficult to get on a moving train,” said Tomlin. “All you have to do is look at Dean Lowry, for example. There’s a veteran guy that missed a substantial amount of training camp and it was a third game before he got a hat, although he’s been healthy for three weeks.
“So that gets multiplied when you’re talking about a guy that has no NFL experience like Roman. So, my advice to Roman is to keep working and take that opportunity when that door is left ajar and be ready when it is.”
Wilson was asked if he is hoping to get on the field soon for a game, and his answer was exactly what you would expect.
“Yeah, I hope so,” said Wilson. “It’s the same thing as always. Come in here, how can I get better today, what can I focus on for tomorrow and what can I learn from. That is my mindset.”
Wilson said there are multiple areas where he is growing, both in his game and his preparation during this time.
“A little bit of everything,” said Wilson. “Finishing my focus. Getting a better routine in the morning. That’s big for me right now. Being mature. Handling practice better. Just getting better every day.”
While he is making progress all around, he won’t go as far as to say he is fully caught up to speed. And for good reason.
“I’m not really going to say if I am caught up or whatever, because that is going to slow down my grind,” said Wilson. “If I think I am up to speed, I am going to slow down. So, all I can focus on is laying that brick every day when I get here and getting better when I get home.”
The full injury report is below.
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