Breaking News: Steelers’ Edge Rusher Alex Highsmith Suffers Groin Tweak in Training Camp Practice

UNITY TWP., Pa. —A promising day of training camp took an unexpected turn Sunday when Pittsburgh Steelers’ standout outside linebacker Alex Highsmith exited practice after suffering a groin injury during one-on-one pass rush drills, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed.

Late in the session, during a one-on-one drill between offensive and defensive linemen, Highsmith appeared to experience discomfort in his groin. Though he walked off the field under his own power and exhibited no immediate signs of distress, his departure raised concerns given his recent injury history.

Tomlin downplayed the seriousness, characterizing it as a “minor groin tweak” and aligned it with the typical soft‑tissue injuries that often occur during the “dog days of summer” training period. He added that a fuller medical evaluation would follow, with a more definitive status update expected after the team’s upcoming off day.

Highsmith enters training camp hoping for a healthy 2025 campaign after being limited to just 11 games in 2024 due to groin and ankle issues. Despite the missed time, he still tallied six sacks and recorded a career-low 45 tackles, leaving both him and the organization determined not to let soft‑tissue setbacks undermine another season.

The injury’s timing gives the Steelers a potential buffer: with weeks still to go until the regular season opener, there’s room for rest and rehab before meaningful games begin. Still, the club’s medical staff is expected to proceed with caution to avoid triggering recurrence that hampered Highsmith last year.

Stepping in behind Highsmith is promising rookie Jack Sawyer, Pittsburgh’s 2025 draft pick, and backup edge rusher Nick Herbig, who enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Herbig logged 5.5 sacks last year and has already drawn praise during camp for his rise in pass-rushing snaps.

While Highsmith’s absence—even temporarily—could disrupt the Steelers’ dynamic pass-rush duo of T.J. Watt and Highsmith, depth and rotation remain part of Pittsburgh’s edge strategy. Recent camps have increasingly turned to rotational packages featuring Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, and others to maintain relentless pressure and freshness throughout games.

Highsmith’s leadership on and off the field further magnifies the concern. A core member of Pittsburgh’s front seven since entering the league in 2020, he’s become both a key disruptor and locker room presence. With his position often drawing double teams, his health is critical to the versatility and balance of Pittsburgh’s defense.

For now, Steelers fans must watch Highsmith’s recovery closely. An MRI and follow-up evaluations are expected this week. If it’s indeed a minor strain, Pittsburgh could still get their star edge rusher back into practice soon. But if it’s more serious—even weeks of rest could force the team to lean more heavily on the next man up in Herbig or Sawyer.

Bottom line: early reports suggest no major cause for concern, but with Highsmith’s groin history, the Steelers will prioritize caution. At this critical juncture in camp, the team hopes that their defense—built on depth, flexibility, and perseverance—can weather yet another soft‑tissue storm.