Steelers’ Alex Highsmith returns to practice

Alex Highsmith of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a play against the Houston Texans

Crisis averted, even if there probably wasn’t one in the first place.

Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith missed the team’s practice on Wednesday, the second day of the team’s mandatory minicamp. The timing was suspicious, with Highsmith’s fellow outside linebacker Nick Herbig signing a four-year, $100 million extension the day before — a deal that pushed Highsmith from the second to the third-highest paid player at his position on the Pittsburgh roster.

But right as the rumors started picking up, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten quickly countered with a social media post saying that Highsmith missed practice because of an illness.

And sure enough, when OTAs resumed after minicamp on Monday, a now presumably-recovered Highsmith could be seen practicing in the team’s posted photo gallery, first noticed by Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora.

You can view the gallery Steelers’ Alex Highsmith returns to practice; flip to photo No. 11.

The Steelers’ choice to pay Herbig starting edge rusher money while already paying Highsmith and Watt large salaries does raise some reasonable questions about the future of the trio moving forward. However, Herbig has a low cap hit in 2026, and insiders have repeated that Pittsburgh hasn’t shown interest in trading one of the three this offseason.

For now, the Steelers’ talented outside linebacker room remains intact.