Pittsburgh, PA – September 15, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are staring down another early-season challenge as injuries continue to pile up across their defense. What was once a unit built on pressure and depth now finds itself scrambling for answers after a key loss in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Already missing several starters, Pittsburgh was dealt another blow when one of its defensive leaders limped off the field in the first quarter and never returned. The absence was immediately felt, as the Seahawks moved the ball with relative ease against a thinned-out lineup.
That player was linebacker Alex Highsmith, whose early exit has now been diagnosed as a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The timeline for recovery is projected at four to six weeks, leaving open the possibility of an injured reserve designation.
Highsmith’s injury comes at a punishing time. The Steelers have already surrendered more than 30 points in each of their first two games, despite not facing top-tier offenses. Losing a premier edge rusher only heightens concerns about how this group will hold up in the coming stretch.
The ripple effect is significant. Highsmith, who signed a four-year extension in 2023, has been the steady counterpart to T.J. Watt. With him sidelined, rookie Jack Sawyer will see an expanded role, and while the coaching staff is optimistic about his long-term potential, depending on him immediately creates more pressure on the defense.
It’s a high-ankle sprain for Alex Highsmith, per Mike Tomlin, which can mean 4-6 weeks and a trip to IR. https://t.co/D3H2Ls70No
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2025
There is growing speculation that the Steelers may explore the free-agent market for linebacker help. Depth at the position was already stretched thin, and the team can’t afford to be caught short-handed if Highsmith does land on injured reserve.
The challenge now extends beyond replacing production. Highsmith’s edge-setting ability and pass-rush consistency are central to the defense’s identity. Without him, quarterbacks will have more time, and opponents could exploit the gaps created by his absence.
As Pittsburgh regroups, the focus shifts to damage control. The hope is to weather the next month without their defensive anchor, but the Steelers know this injury has changed the equation — and could define their early-season outlook.
Kyle Shanahan Slams Refs After Costly Blown Call in 49ers’ First Loss of Season
Jacksonville, FL – September 29, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers’ undefeated run came to a screeching halt in Jacksonville, and head coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t just blaming turnovers or special teams miscues. This time, his frustration was aimed squarely at the officials.
The pivotal moment came in the second quarter, with the Jaguars facing third-and-long. Two penalty flags were thrown — one for holding against Jacksonville and another for defensive pass interference against rookie cornerback Upton Stout. After discussion, officials inexplicably picked up the flag on the Jaguars, enforcing only the call against San Francisco.
Shanahan immediately called timeout to challenge the decision, but was told the ruling would stand. The Jaguars extended the drive, marching 89 yards in 13 plays and capping it off with a touchdown to go up 14–3. After the game, Shanahan revealed what stunned him most:
“The refs told me they messed up. They admitted it. That drive changed the entire game.”
The 49ers would battle back, but four turnovers and the costly special teams breakdown — coupled with that disputed penalty sequence — proved too much to overcome in a 26–21 defeat, their first of the season.
Shanahan didn’t hold back when asked about the impact of the blown call. “We put ourselves in tough spots tonight, but when officials admit to mistakes that hand points to the other team, it’s unacceptable. This league is too competitive for that,”
he said, his frustration palpable.
For a team built on discipline and precision, losing because of both self-inflicted errors and admitted officiating mistakes stung deeply. The 49ers now sit at 3–1, but the sense of injustice may linger long after the loss.
Whether the NFL addresses the officiating error or lets it fade into the background, Shanahan made his stance clear: the 49ers’ first loss of 2025 should never have happened this way.