Steelers

Alex Highsmith named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

November 16, 2022 / 8:39 AM EST / CBS Pittsburgh

CBS News Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Alex Highsmith's big day against the Saints is now getting AFC recognition.

The Steelers' linebacker has been named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week.

Even with the return of TJ Watt, Highsmith was a one-man wrecking crew against New Orleans this past Sunday.

He recorded two sacks, which resulted in a loss of a combined 17 yards, five tackles - three of those solo - and a forced fumble.

So far this year, Highsmith has 8.5 sacks, which is good for fourth-most in the NFL as well as three forced fumbles, good for second-most in the NFL.

This is the first time that Highsmith has received the honor of AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

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Patrick Damp

Patrick Damp is a web producer for CBS Pittsburgh. A Pittsburgh native who grew up watching KDKA-TV, Patrick studied journalism at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After half a decade in sports communication, Patrick decided to pursue his dream of working in journalism in his hometown and joined the CBS Pittsburgh team in 2019.