Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt ready to reduce snap count with Alex Highsmith's return

One Pittsburgh Steeler is ready for the return of Alex Highsmith after he missed three games with an ankle injury. It should come as no surprise it’s the guy who plays outside linebacker on the opposite side.

Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt called Highsmith being healthy a “huge” development for the defense — and not just because of his playmaking ability in the pass rush and ability to make “big-time plays in big-time moments.”

As important is that Highsmith finally gives the Steelers a full complement of healthy players at outside linebacker, which should lighten Watt’s load. Highsmith is expected start against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, with Nick Herbig, Preston Smith and Jeremiah Moon providing depth at the position.

“It just allows us to take a breather more,” Watt said. “You don’t have to play 90-plus percent of snaps, which it feels like we’ve been playing this season. Anytime I get a breather and let ‘Herb’ or ‘P’ go in there and get some good quality reps is a benefit to all of us.”

Watt doesn’t just feel like he’s playing that much. He’s averaging a career-high 90% of the defensive snaps this season, including a season-high 95% against both the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants when Herbig and Highsmith were battling injuries and before Smith was acquired from the Green Bay Packers at the trade deadline.

Watt played 95% of the snaps in the first game against the Browns, and his production suffered for it. He had four tackles but no sacks or quarterback hits in the 24-18 loss Nov. 21 at Cleveland.

Last week, with both Herbig and Smith available, the Steelers reduced Watt’s snap count to 76%. He responded with five quarterback hits, three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in the 44-38 win at the Cincinnati Bengals. Watt’s aware the high snap count could take its toll.

“It’s a lot, it really is. You watch film and you self-evaluate, especially after a Thursday game when you have a weekend to really break down and self-evaluate and just really look at the percentage of plays and snaps I’m playing per game. It’s too much,” Watt said. “This past week we tried to dial it back a little bit. We’re going to try to find a happy medium, just so that when I’m out there I’m going 100% all the time and not resting on the field.”