Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith is out for Week 3 with an ankle injury but should avoid a longer absence necessitating an injured reserve stint.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Highsmith “can be classified as out” with a sprained ankle. He was injured Sunday in Pittsburgh’s 31-17 loss to the Seahawks and won’t be on the field this week at New England.
The Steelers are waiting to see rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon on the practice field before determining his status. A defensive tackle at Oregon, Harmon can play multiple spots on the 3-4 front but missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury. His debut this week would be a timely return as the Steelers (1-1) already ruled defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk out with a high-ankle sprain.
Linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) and defensive back Darius Slay (shoulder) are dealing with injuries but likely to play, Tomlin said. Safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and cornerback Joey Porter (hamstring) are questionable.
Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson wasn’t ruled out, but Tomlin indicated he was demoted from the kickoff return role. Johnson did not field a kickoff that bounced in front of him in Sunday’s loss, which resulted in a Seahawks recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.
Kenneth Gainwell filled the role after Johnson’s error, and Tomlin said it’s no longer Johnson’s job.
“Probably not in the short term,” Tomlin said. “I’m certainly going to give him an opportunity to work his way back. I believe in his talent, he’s a sharp young man, he’s a hard worker. You leave a light on for him to give him an opportunity to move on from it. But he has to do that, he has to display that with his daily work, and he’s gotta earn himself back into position to be a participant.”
