Lions veteran is proving everyone wrong about him, and he's being rewarded with an expanded role for it
Detroit Lions veteran is proving everyone wrong about him, and he's being rewarded with an expanded role
I swear to you, I've typed the words edge rusher 750 times in the last few months alone. I wish I could actually count. My favorite time to do it is when it's for a good reason, and this one is. The Detroit Lions are coming off a big win over the Chicago Bears, and they were able to bring pressure and get home for the first time this season. One player who really stood out caught the eye of coaches, and now he's going to get more opportunities going forward.
Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to get an expanded role on the Lions' defense
Muhammad had a great game against the Bears on Sunday. In the times when Marcus Davenport was injured, Muhammad came in and played 36 snaps and put up three pressures and a sack. While it was less noticeable, he had a pressure and a quarterback hit against the Packers in Week 1, too. Muhammad is showing what he can do week to week. Because of that, he's going to get an expanded role on the Lions' defense.
"He had a really good camp, and he just continues to do things for us. He's crafty, he's strong, he's got some explosiveness, and, man, he plays hard. God plays hard." Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. "I mean, there was a number of plays I can think of three right now where he's running out of the stack. He's running out of balls thrown screen and, I mean, he is running to try to get the ball or making a tackle. And it's that kind of effort with what he's got, ability-wise, it gives you a chance. He's been big for us, and he's going to get more of a role. He's earned that."
It's been such a stark difference from what was expected for Muhammad when he got here last year. When I asked Colts beat writer Destin Adams about him after he signed, Adams said right out front that if the Lions were hoping for pass rush from him, they might be disappointed, but that he was strong against the run in Indianapolis.
Adams was right on the latter part of that. Muhammad has been a great run defender in Detroit. But he's also shown to be a strong pass rusher. Perhaps he just didn't get to show that with the Colts. He showed in 2024 and the Lions brought him back, and now he might have a chance to start opposite Aidan Hutchinson against the Ravens since the Lions are waiting to hear what the word is on Davenport.
Let's see what he can do against a Ravens offensive line that struggled against the Browns defense on Sunday, despite their win, saying otherwise.
Steelers Get ‘Good News’ on Alex Highsmith Injury Ahead of Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith left the Week 2 loss against the Seattle Seahawks with an injury, and there was a mostly positive update on that developing situation on Monday, September 15.
“Steelers LB Alex Highsmith, who left Sunday’s game with what Mike Tomlin called a high-ankle sprain, is not likely to be placed on IR, sources say,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport relayed on X. Adding: “That’s good news, an indication that it’s not as serious as first believed. IR would knock him out four games.”
So, while Highsmith may still be unavailable for Week 3 against the New England Patriots, there is reason to believe that he won’t miss too much time.
Considering Highsmith was seen in a “walking boot” after the defeat, and Rapoport himself noted a four-to-six week recovery timeline was possible, it would seem the Steelers managed to dodge a bullet on this one.
Alex Highsmith’s Contract Called Into Question After Latest Injury With Steelers
Highsmith is earning $17 million per year after signing a $68 million contract in 2023. And Steelers Nation is beginning to question if the production and availability are worth the price tag.
“Alex Highsmith got a contract extension in July of 2023. His sack total was then cut in half in 2023. He missed six games in 2024. [And] he missed all of camp in 2025 and is now injured in the second week of the season,” Josh Rowntree of 937 The Fan posted on the evening of September 14.
Fans also chimed in on social media, calling for more Nick Herbig usage and a contract restructure of Highsmith.
It’s true that Highsmith has yet to recapture the magic of his 14.5-sack campaign in 2022. Of course, this season directly led to the aforementioned contract extension.
Highsmith has managed a combined 13.0 sacks over the past two regular seasons, with 1.0 sack in each of the Steelers’ past two playoff appearances and another 1.0 sack to begin the 2025 campaign.
The veteran starter did add 9 tackles for a loss in just 11 starts last year, with 13 QB hits and 1 forced fumble. He also got off to a hot start this season, according to Pro Football Focus, leading all edge rushers with a minimum of 20% snaps played in “PRP.”
Per PFF, PRP is a “formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries relative to how many times they rush the passer.”
Highsmith is also currently tied for seventh among all NFL edge rushers in pass-rush win-rate after two games.
Steelers Need More From Defense in Week 3
Over the first two weeks of football, it’s surprisingly been the Steelers’ defense that’s come up a bit short, allowing 30-plus points in each outing.
Now, obviously it all works hand-in-hand, and offensive and special teams struggles sometimes lead to defensive letdowns, but even so, this is not what head coach Mike Tomlin had in mind when he went out and acquired Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and more.
Pittsburgh is still without first-round defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, and the Highsmith injury adds another potential problem, but the Steelers need more from their defense if they have serious Super Bowl aspirations.
This was never supposed to be a weekly shootout led by Aaron Rodgers, it was supposed to be a methodical and steady offense carried by an elite defense. As of now, that’s not what anyone has witnessed.
