Steelers' sudden loss on defense turns into immediate gain thanks to breakout performance
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense was elevated by the play of Justin Fields on Sunday, as he kept the team undefeated and atop the division following a 20-10 home opening win against the Los Angeles Chargers. But on defense, it was a group effort, though one name stood above the rest when called into action. That […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense was elevated by the play of Justin Fields on Sunday, as he kept the team undefeated and atop the division following a 20-10 home opening win against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But on defense, it was a group effort, though one name stood above the rest when called into action.
That would be Nick Herbig, who after replacing an injured Alex Highsmith, had the breakout game that has been brewing since the Steelers drafted him last year.
Nick Herbig records two sacks in second-half domination of Chargers
Not once, but twice did Nick Herbig record a sack on Sunday, filling in tremendously for Alex Highsmith after he left the game with a groin injury, adding to a long list of Steelers that had some health-related attrition despite Sunday's victory:
"Obviously we sustained some injuries and so forth in the game," said Coach Tomlin. "But that's life in ball as well. We spend less time worrying about the unfortunate, and those who got hurt, and we like to spend our time focusing on those that get the opportunity to elevate and contribute. Sucks for Alex Highsmith, excited for Herbig, for example, and none of us are surprised with the quality work that he [Herbig] gave us and a lot of others. Corey Trice has a hamstring. Alex Highsmith has a groin. Jaylen Warren wasn't able to finish there. Late in the second half, I pulled him from the game. It just didn't look like he was running smoothly. We'll evaluate him. Van Jefferson was able to go back in during the latter portions of the game, he got poked in the eye. His vision cleared up. He went back to participation."
For Herbig, it was never a question of if, but when. In limited exposure, he has always been dynamic as a rusher, he just so happens to be behind arguably the best duo in the league.
But if Highsmith is out for any period of time, the Herbig hype train will be full steam ahead, as the rest of the league catches up to the Steelers' hidden gem.
Justin Fields has forced Steelers HC Mike Tomlin into the hypothetical situation he’s been loathing
Coach Tomlin has a tough decision to make.
