On a short week, one of the key factors for a team is health.
And the Steelers head into tonight's game against the Cleveland Browns a relatively healthy team.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith is inactive for the game, ruled out for the second straight game after suffering an ankle injury against the Washington Commanders.
With Highsmith out, it will once again be linebackers Preston Smith and Nick Herbig who will be asked to step up.
Coach Mike Tomlin said the division of labor between the two of them last week was due in part to the amount of defensive snaps available.
"We were getting off the field. We were possessing the ball some on offense," said Tomlin. "There weren't as many defensive snaps to go around. Herbig's conditioning, or lack thereof, wasn't compromised because of those things, and it made the divvying of the reps a less significant discussion, to be quite honest with you."
Herbig continues to emerge as a someone the defense can count on to step in without a drop off, which isn't always the case in a young, second-year player.
"He's a big-time player," said Tomlin. "He's a young guy, but even in a small sample size, I think we all recognize his play making capabilities, and I think any of us that are around him are not surprised when he makes significant plays, particularly in significant moments.
"He trains under the under the likes of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. He's got some great role models, and he's got an awesome work ethic and mindset to boot, and so not surprised by it at all."
Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski commented earlier this week on the addition of Smith to the Steelers defense, knowing he is another force they have to contend with.
"He's playing on both sides," said Stefanski. "Very long player. Strong, good against the run. Plays with effort. He can really be a factor in the run or the pass."
In addition to Highsmith, receiver Scotty Miller, running back Jonathan Ward, and guard Max Scharping are inactive, and Kyle Allen is the third quarterback.
The full list of inactives is below.
Steelers Inactives
No. 4 QB Kyle Allen (3rd QB)
No. 13 WR Scott Miller
No. 35 RB Jonathan Ward
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith
No. 64 OG Max Scharping
Browns Inactives
No. 2 QB Bailey Zappe (3rd QB)
No. 27 RB D'Onta Foreman
No. 35 CB Chigozie Anusiem
No. 71 T Jedrick Wills Jr.
No. 84 TE Geoff Swaim
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