Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Jack Sawyer is poised for an expanded role as the top outside linebacker backup with T.J. Watt ruled out for Monday's game against the Miami Dolphins following surgery for a collapsed lung sustained during a team treatment session. Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith will start, as Sawyer builds on his promising season amid the playoff push.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense faces a test in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins without star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who underwent successful surgery Thursday for a partially collapsed lung after a dry needling treatment on December 10. Released from the hospital Friday, Watt is resting at home and expected to return later this season, though he will miss the primetime matchup.
Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith will start at outside linebacker. Rookie Jack Sawyer, a former Ohio State captain from the national championship team, becomes the primary backup. In limited action this season, Sawyer has recorded a sack (Week 2), an interception (Week 9), three passes defensed, 23 tackles, and 10 pressures over 183 snaps.
Sawyer saw increased snaps earlier when Highsmith was injured—24 in Week 2 and 23 in Week 6—and could play 20+ against Miami despite recent light usage (10 snaps last two weeks). 'I feel like I’m getting better each week, getting more comfortable at this level each week, and the scheme. Just trying to help this team win anyway I can,' Sawyer said.
This chance allows Sawyer to solidify his spot in Pittsburgh's deep edge group and help maintain defensive strength without Watt.
