Report: Injury to Steelers LB Alex Highsmith not believed to be serious

According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, the quad injury suffered by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings is not believed to be major. Rapoport called the injury a contusion which is the best possible outcome.

Pittsburgh lost both starting outside linebackers on Thursday as T.J. Watt went down first with a groin injury. The Steelers defense was forced to play most of the game with Taco Charlton and Derrek Tuszka as the primary pass rushers. Less than ideal.

Despite a late rally by Pittsburgh, the Steelers lost to the Vikings 36-28. These injuries contributed to the league-leading best pass-rushing unit failed to register a sack of Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins.

#Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith, who left last night’s game early, is not believed to have suffered a major injury, source said. He’ll have more tests today, but early indications are that it’s a bad contusion above the knee.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2021