The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense will be without several notable stars in Week 3 against the New England Patriots. The struggling unit faces significant setbacks as linebacker Alex Highsmith and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. head the team’s list of inactives.
Pittsburgh officially ruled out Highsmith and Porter, along with safety DeShon Elliott, on Friday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, who has yet to make his debut, is listed as questionable.
While losing Highsmith is a notable blow, the Steelers can find some solace in slotting Nick Herbig into the starting lineup. Herbig has emerged as one of the team’s brightest young stars, recording 5.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits off the bench in 2024.
However, the absences of Porter and Elliott significantly impact a secondary already struggling to contain opposing offenses. Despite offseason additions of veterans Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed 245 passing yards per game over two outings, ranking eighth-worst in the league. The defense is also surrendering 9.3 yards per pass attempt, the fourth-highest mark.
Without Porter, the Steelers will likely move Ramsey into a full-time outside cornerback role. Ramsey has been shuffled throughout the secondary recently but has spent most of his snaps in the slot. This move leaves head coach Mike Tomlin with the challenge of naming a starter at Ramsey’s traditional nickelback position.
Rookie Donte Kent, listed as Ramsey’s backup, is currently on injured reserve. Notably, the team surprised many by releasing Beanie Bishop—who had started most of the 2024 season in the slot—during final roster cuts.
At safety, veterans Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers are the leading candidates to replace Elliott. Peppers, a former Patriots captain, could be motivated for a strong showing in what might be a potential revenge game.
The Steelers’ defense has struggled through the first two weeks, allowing an average of 31.5 points per game. Pittsburgh was favored in both matchups, narrowly edging the New York Jets in Week 1 before its offense faltered in Week 2.
On paper, the 1-1 New England Patriots don’t appear to be a major threat. However, their offense showed life in Week 2 with a strong performance against the Miami Dolphins—an alarming sign for a Steelers defense already under pressure. Quarterback Drake Maye threw for 230 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns in the Patriots’ win.
Despite the mounting injury concerns, the Steelers remain slight favorites as they prepare to face New England at Gillette Stadium. Fans will be eager to see if Pittsburgh’s defense can hold firm and help secure the victory.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/steelers-news-alex-highsmith-joey-porter-jr-patriots-clash