Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith Could Miss Time
The Steelers (7-2) hung onto first place in the AFC North by beating the Commanders but lost a top defensive player in the process.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith suffered an ankle injury late in the game and was seen on crutches in the locker room.
Highsmith has 19 tackles and three sacks this season despite missing three games and has 24.5 sacks since the start of 2022. Pittsburgh's pass rush has been led by All-Pro T.J. Watt (6.5 sacks) and Cameron Heyward (five), who had two sacks in Pittsburgh's 28-27 victory Sunday.
With Highsmith potentially out against Baltimore, the Steelers hope to get outside linebacker Nick Herbig back from a hamstring injury. Starting cornerback Donte Jackson left Sunday's game a hamstring injury and Head Coach Mike Tomlin did not give a postgame update Jackson's status.
The surging Steelers have won four straight and were 4-2 when Tomlin made the decision to start Russell Wilson at quarterback to replace Justin Fields. The Steelers are 3-0 with Wilson, who threw three touchdown passes against the Commanders, including the winning score to newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams.
Wilson also threw touchdown passes to George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth against the Commanders. The veteran quarterback seems to be clicking with all his weapons heading into his first game as part of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry.
"Letting the ball loose, that's one of the biggest components of his (Wilson's) game," said Pickens, via the Steelers’ website. "And trusting the receivers. When it's a certain coverage, when you see certain space for the back pylon, he's going to release it. His mentality for throwing the ball is superb."
Cincinnati Bengals: Xavien Howard Reportedly Doesn't Sign After His Visit
After giving up 290 yards passing to Lamar Jackson in Week 10, including four touchdown passes, the Bengals brought in veteran cornerback Xavien Howard for a Monday visit, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. However, Howard and the Bengals reportedly failed to reach agreement after a strong workout.
The 31-year-old Howard played eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins and made the Pro Bowl four times. Bengals Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo was a defensive backs coach with the Dolphins (2012-17) when Howard had some of his best seasons.
Cincinnati lost starting cornerback Dax Hill, brother of Ravens running back Justice Hill, in October with a torn ACL.
The Bengals also brought in running back Leonard Fournette for a visit, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Running back Zach Moss (neck) was placed on injured reserve by the Bengals last week. Cincinnati traded for running back Khalil Herbert, who fumbled on his first touch as a Bengal. They could still have an opportunity for the 29-year-old Fournette. He has 4,498 career yards but has not seen action since playing two games for the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
The Bengals (4-6) visit the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) in Week 11.
Cleveland Browns: General Manager Andrew Berry Supports Kevin Stefanski
The Browns had a bye in Week 10, and General Manager Andrew Berry met with Cleveland's media during the off week. With the Browns at 2-7, both Berry and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski have faced criticism after being rewarded with contract extensions in June.
Berry gave a vocal endorsement to Stefanski's five-year tenure in Cleveland. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in both 2020 and '23.
"There are 13 coaches in the history of the sport who have won the Coach of the Year award multiple times," Berry said via Ashley Holder of MSN.com. "Ten of them went to a Super Bowl or NFL Championship, six of them won one, seven are in the Hall of Fame, and he's the second fastest to do it. Kevin is an outstanding coach, and he's part of the solution."
Berry was noncommittal on whether Deshaun Watson would return as the starting quarterback in 2025 after his struggles this year prior to his season-ending Achilles injury.
"Really our focus with Deshaun, I would say for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury, is first and foremost and to make sure that he gets healthy from the Achilles injury," Berry via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. "Everything else, we'll deal with at a later moment."
The Browns visit the New Orleans Saints (3-7) in Week 11.
