Three Steelers who could have biggest impact vs. Colts in Week 4
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) are traveling to Indianapolis to face the Colts (1-2) in Week 4. They are one of just five undefeated teams remaining in the NFL and hope to remain as such this week.
Here are three Steelers who could impact the game the most:
Running back Najee Harris
Harris and Jaylen Warren have created one of the best running back duos in the league, but Harris will likely be without his running mate this week.
Warren is expected to miss Sunday’s game after not practicing for the second day in a row on Thursday due to a knee injury.
That will create even more opportunities for Harris against the Colts, who are allowing the most rushing yards per game (179) in the league and have already allowed two 150-yard rushers this season (Houston’s Joe Mixon with 159 and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs with 151).
Harris hasn’t rushed for more than 70 yards in a game this season, but he has a great chance to more than double that total in Week 4.
Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward
Just like Pittsburgh likes to run the football a lot, so does Indianapolis.
Through three games, the Colts are averaging 131.3 rushing yards per game thanks to good offensive line play and running back Jonathan Taylor, who has ran for 261 yards and three touchdowns.
Stopping their run game will be the Steelers’ No. 1 priority as it would force second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson — who leads the NFL in interceptions (six) — to put the ball in the air.
It will start on the interior of the defensive line with Heyward, who is confident the Steelers can get the job done.
“We’re a pack of hyenas, Heyward said. “You dangle a little bit of meat and everybody just wants a piece. Guys are just hungry to get the sack first.”
Linebacker Nick Herbig
On Tuesday, it was revealed that linebacker Alex Highsmith is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a groin injury in Pittsburgh’s Week 3 win against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Herbig, a fourth-round pick in 2023, is the next man up. However, if he plays like he did last week (two sacks and one forced fumble), the Steelers will be just fine.
Richardson has proven to be dangerous with his legs, rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown on the year. Herbig knows it will be key to contain him.
“He’s a unicorn,” Herbig said. “He’s big. He can throw the ball. He can run. We just got to be able to get him down.”
Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt will take care of business on his side. Herbig must do the same.
All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
