Next up on the schedule for the Indianapolis Colts is a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are reportedly going to be without edge rusher Alex Highsmith.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers are “bracing” for Highsmith to miss multiple weeks with a groin injury.
#Steelers bracing for edge rusher Alex Highsmith to miss multiple weeks with his groin injury, per source, but it’s not considered major and he will avoid surgery. pic.twitter.com/h0tVsgAP46
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 24, 2024
Highsmith has been one of the more disruptive pass rushers in football. This season, he has totaled six pressures and a sack in two-plus games. During the 2023 season, he ranked 14th among all edge rushers in total pressures and was 12th in win rate.
The name of the game in football is protecting the quarterback, something that the Colts have done well with this season. As a collective group, the Colts rank fourth in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric.
Through three games, the Colts have struggled to find consistency in the passing game. Their blueprint for success on offense needs to look a lot like what we saw this past Sunday where there was an emphasis on getting both Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson involved in the running game.
Accomplishing this will keep the offense ahead of the sticks, allowing them to sustain drives, and a strong run game can open up opportunities in the passing game.
Although the Steelers are expected to be without Highsmith, they still have TJ Watt on the opposite side. Watt ranked seventh in pressures last season and has eight so far this year, along with three sacks.
