PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is battling a pectoral injury and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but is still optimistic he could play this week.

“I’m optimistic,” Highsmith said, “so we’ll see what happens.”

It is a new injury. Highsmith is coming off two straight games with two sacks, but this injury could be a setback for him. He also dealt with an ankle injury last week that limited him throughout the week.

Highsmith battled a high ankle sprain earlier this year that forced him to miss three games.

In his absence, third-year pass rusher Nick Herbig played like nothing short of a superstar. He had 2.5 sacks, 14 pressures, and eight quarterback hits over the two and a half games of relief he has played in throughout that time.

Hig

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