Updated: Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Ravens. Trice returned to practice this week, but still remains on the Reserve/Injured (Designated for Return) List.
The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens and it's no secret that outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
With Highsmith out, it will be Nick Herbig and Preston Smith who will be asked to pick things up for the defense.
Herbig returned to practice this week after missing four games with a hamstring injury.
"I feel good," said Herbig. "I feel really good.
"I'm excited. I just want to play with my boys. There's no feeling like it in the world. Being out there with your brothers that you grind all year to have moments like this. So just being able to suit up and put that black and gold on, it feels good."
Missing the time wasn't easy for Herbig, something that he admits he struggled with but fought through it.
"I think you're lying if you don't say it's tough," said Herbig. "You work so hard. But you know that's the game of football. You know injuries happen; stuff happens.
"I try to look at it as a glass half full type of situation. I tried to see what I could learn from this. How can I better prepare my body and get my mentals right."
Herbig knows the timing couldn't be any better for him to be back with Highsmith out, and understands what needs to be done.
"It's a team sport," said Herbig. "We need guys to step up in that position. Alex is an 'A' player and doing it at an elite level. We just have to pick up the slack from there."
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was asked how Herbig and Smith will be used against the Ravens with Highsmith out, and he left it for the imagination.
"You'll have to come in Sunday and see how it works out," said Austin.
Having Smith, though, definitely provides options and he is someone Austin is happy they acquired via a trade with the Green Bay Packers last week.
"One thing I found out in a week's time is obviously he's a veteran, but he's not a veteran that needs a lot of reps," said Austin. "He understands the type of system and the things that we're trying to get done. For a lot of guys like that, it's just terminology and getting all that stuff together in their mind so it makes sense so they can play fast.
"I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be able to handle a bigger role this weekend.
"Losing Alex, we hate to lose Alex, but it's always next man up. Our scheme and our thing is pretty flexible, and the guys that we bring in here, we think they fit what we do. We're just going to move forward with how we play and how we plan and prepare and do all those things. We're not going to change a whole bunch, I don't think, in terms of saying, hey, we can only do this with Nick, and we can only do this with Preston."
Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. returned to practice on Thursday, and while no decision has been made when, or if, he will be activated, Trice said he is feeling good. He was a full participant in practice on Friday, but is listed as questionable for the game.
"It felt good to be out there," said Trice. "I missed practicing. That's really where the growth comes in that people really don't see. That's where you get better. I missed it a lot, working on my game."
Trice has been rehabbing since injuring his hamstring earlier this season, seeing action in only two games. So, when he got the green light to practice again, it was the news he had been waiting for.
"I was happy, I was excited," said Trice. "But I have always been preparing like I was going to play week in and week out. Still the same preparation, definitely was exciting mentally.
"I've been doing a lot of running on the side and stuff too. Whenever they call me, I've got to be ready. And I'll be ready for sure."
Running back Jaylen Warren was limited on Friday and is questionable dealing with a back injury.
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 11
Game Status
No. 21 CB C.J. Henderson (Neck) - Out
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Out - Updated
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Back) - Questionable
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Out
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee/NIR - Resting Vet) - Doubtful
Friday, November 15
No. 11 WR Van Jefferson (Quadricep) - Full
No. 21 CB C.J. Henderson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Ankle) - Full
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Hamstring) - Full
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Back) - Limited
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - DNP
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee/NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 9 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
** in the designated 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve
Thursday, November 14
No. 11 WR Van Jefferson (Quadricep) - Limited
No. 21 CB C.J. Henderson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Ankle) - Full
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Hamstring) - Limited
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Back) - DNP
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - DNP
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee/NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 9 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
** in the designated 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve
Wednesday, November 13
No. 11 WR Van Jefferson (Quadricep) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Ankle) - DNP
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - DNP
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - DNP
No. 9 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
Baltimore Ravens Participation/Injury Report, Week 11
Game Status
No. 98 DT Travis Jones (Ankle) - Questionable
No. 10 CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - Out
Friday, November 15
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Knee) - Full
No. 14 S Kyle Hamilton (Ankle) - Full
No. 8 QB Lamar Jackson (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 98 DT Travis Jones (Ankle) - Limited
No. 80 TE Isaiah Likely (Hamstring) - Full
No. 10 CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - DNP
No. 97 DE Brent Urban (Concussion) - Full
No. 53 OLB Kyle Van Noy (Illness) - Full
Thursday, November 14
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Knee) - Full
No. 14 S Kyle Hamilton (Ankle) - Limited
No. 8 QB Lamar Jackson (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 98 DT Travis Jones (Ankle) - Limited
No. 80 TE Isaiah Likely (Hamstring) - Full
No. 10 CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - Limited
No. 97 DE Brent Urban (Concussion) - Full
No. 53 OLB Kyle Van Noy (Illness) - Full
Wednesday, November 13
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Knee) - Full
No. 14 S Kyle Hamilton (Ankle) - DNP
No. 80 TE Isaiah Likely (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 97 DE Brent Urban (Concussion) - Full
No. 53 OLB Kyle Van Noy (Illness) - DNP
