Monday, September 15
Ready if number is called: On Sunday, linebacker Alex Highsmith left the game early with what Coach Mike Tomlin referred to as a 'high ankle.'
While Highsmith's status won't be updated until Tomlin's weekly press conference on Tuesday, rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer is preparing for whatever is asked of him.
"I think for me it's just going about my business as I do every week and being ready for anything," said Sawyer. "And whenever my number is called to go out there, play the best I can, help this team win and be successful.
"So, I'm praying Alex gets back healthy. I'm just trying to be ready. So, whenever my numbers is called, I can step in there and there's no drop off because he's an exceptional player."
Sawyer was in on 26 defensive snaps against Seattle on Sunday and if more is asked of him against the Patriots this Sunday, he will be prepared.
"Alex is one of the best players in the league," reiterated Sawyer. "And it doesn't change my approach. I'm just going about every way I can to help this team win. Whenever my number is called, just try to be out there and do my job to the best of my ability."
Highsmith was injured in the first quarter against Seattle, requiring some in-game adjustments. Sawyer said you just have to rely on your preparation when that does happen.
"It just falls back to your training, what you've done leading up to the week preparing," said Sawyer. "It's always having that mindset of stay ready so when your number is called you are able to get in there and help the team.
"There is no drop-off. For me, that's how I try to go about it, and that's how I'm going to continue to go at it."
Sawyer had that approach when he recorded his first career sack, when he got to Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter for a nine-yard loss.
"I would have rather had the win, to be honest with you," said Sawyer. "I like to win football games, and I think anyone that plays this sport would agree with that. But it was fun. It was cool to be able to get the first one off your back. It was kind of a sigh of relief when you get your first one. It was exciting.
"But obviously, it doesn't mean much when you don't get the W."
Ready for the next one: Looking at receiver Roman Wilson's stat sheet from Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, it's not a number that might immediately jump out.
But it was a number that had meaning for Wilson.
Wilson's one catch against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, which was a seven-yard reception from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, was his first career reception.
"It was cool," said Wilson. "Just trying to keep working on what I can do to help the team. But it was cool."
Wilson was injured for the majority of his rookie season in 2024, so finally pulling in that reception was something he waited some time for.
But he isn't thinking too much about it.
"I'm really focused on going into next week and things like that," said Wilson. "Like I said, it is cool, but it's just football to me. I've had plenty of catches before, so I'm just really looking forward to the next one."
Wilson spent the vast majority of the 2024 season on the sidelines, appearing in just one game, but he didn't let that deter him from learning.
"It's been cool just working in with my reps," said Wilson. "Just working with what I get. It's been good, feeling better. So, it's been fun."
Wilson is hoping for more, but he will be happy with whoever the ball is thrown to in the receiving corps, a group he really likes.
"We've got a great room, me, DK (Metcalf), Calvin (Austin), Scotty (Miller) and Ben (Skowronek)," said Wilson. "Just a lot of great talent in there. Just keep working on it."
And with Rodgers at quarterback, he knows they can explode at any moment.
"It's really nice to hear him talking on the sideline, hear him talk in the huddle," said Wilson. "Hearing him talk about football. It's been a really cool experience to be around."
Take a look at Steelers players and coaches during team photo day
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt's (90) jersey during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers special teams during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward's (97) jersey during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebackers during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers pose for a photo during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey's (5) jersey during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19), and tight end Darnell Washington (80) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Sermon (37), Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14), Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20), Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Lew Nichols (35) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon's (99) jersey during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83), wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19), defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), and tight end Darnell Washington (80) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76), offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73), running back Jaylen Warren (30), defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (96), and linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25), safety Sebastian Castro (29), cornerback/punt returner Donte Kent (34), defensive back Chuck Clark (21), defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27), secondary coach Gerald Alexander, safety Juan Thornhill (22), cornerback James Pierre (42), cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5), assistant secondary coach Anthony Midget, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24), safety Miles Killebrew (28), defensive back Daryl Porter (39), safety Jabrill Peppers (40), cornerback Brandin Echols (26), defensive back D'Shawn Jamison (38), cornerback Darius Slay (23), cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodger's (8) jersey during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, quarterback Logan Woodside (16), quarterback Mason Rudolph (2), quarterback Will Howard (18), quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), quarterback Skylar Thompson (17), and offensive assistant Matt Baker during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward's (97) jersey during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers captains safety Miles Killebrew (28), linebacker T.J. Watt (90), head coach Mike Tomlin, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during team photo day at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
