Alex Highsmith injury: Pittsburgh Steelers star leaves game vs. Commanders with apparent ankle injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered an important injury late in the game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Linebacker Alex Highsmith appeared to twist his ankle badly and had to be helped off the field. He was injured after trying to sack Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels. Highsmith came down to the ground a little awkwardly and was tended to shortly after the play was over.

Here’s the brief clip of the play when the injury happened.

Steelers Highsmith twist his ankle badly on this play and has to be helped off the field. #PITvsWAS pic.twitter.com/NTkkKkCkdw

— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) November 10, 2024

He’ll likely need an MRI when he returns to Pittsburgh to diagnose the extent of his ankle injury. According to reports from Steelers writers, Highsmith came through the locker room on crutches.

On Twitter on Sunday evening, Highsmith’s father, Sam Highsmith, confirmed that his son had an ankle injury. He said the family should know more about the injury on Monday or Tuesday.

Highsmith, 27 years old, tallied 57 tackles (34 solo), eight tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles in 2023. He set a career high the year prior with 14.5 sacks and led the NFL with five forced fumbles. The 2020 third round pick out of Charlotte has racked up 29.5 sacks in four seasons playing next to T.J. Watt.

During his time with the Charlotte 49ers, Highsmith was named first team All-C-USA after setting a school record with 17.5 tackles for loss and 60 total tackles, to go along with three sacks and two forced fumbles. As a senior, he also earned first team All-C-USA honors, as well as third team All American honors from the Associated Press. Highsmith set new school records with 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.

On3’s Nick Geddes also contributed to this article.