Steelers Rely on Herbig, Sawyer and the ‘Next Man Up’ Mentality as Watt Recovers

When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, the defense will have to play without one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers. T.J. Watt, the team’s perennial Pro Bowler, will be sidelined indefinitely after surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung that followed a dry‑needling treatment mishap.

Watt’s Mentorship and Herbig’s Rise

Watt has long embraced a mentor role, especially with rookie linebacker Nick Herbig. During Herbig’s rookie season two years ago, Watt noted that the younger player “asks the right questions.” This observation has guided Herbig’s development into a key contributor.

Herbig’s 6 ½ sacks this season trail only Watt’s team‑leading seven, and he has also forced two fumbles, recovered one, and picked off a pass. At 6‑foot‑1 and 240 pounds, Herbig compensates for a lack of bulk with lightning‑quick reflexes and relentless energy, traits that helped him lead the Big Ten Conference in sacks in 2022 at Wisconsin.

Watt’s influence extends beyond statistics. When Herbig stepped onto Acrisure Stadium turf Monday night, it marked the first time in his three‑year career that he would play without Watt nearby. Herbig said, “I think that he’s prepared not just myself, but a bunch of the younger guys in that sense to be able to take on that larger role, not just as a player but as a leader, and bringing that energy and just doing everything that he does right.”

Herbig and Sawyer Take the Helm

With Watt out, Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer will shoulder more responsibility. Sawyer, a fourth‑round pick from Ohio State, lacks Watt’s pass‑rush prowess but excels at setting the edge against the run—a skill Pittsburgh has struggled to maintain consistently this season.

Sawyer remarked, “I feel like I’m getting better each week and getting more comfortable with this level each week and the scheme and just trying to help this team win anyway I can.” He saw the field for just three plays last week against Baltimore, but that number is expected to rise against the Dolphins as the Steelers aim to keep their tenuous AFC North lead and extend a Monday‑night home streak to 23 games.

The Dolphins have won four straight games and five of six following a 1‑6 start by putting the ball in running back De’Von Achane’s hands. Achane averages 109 yards during Miami’s surge, easing pressure on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Sawyer, no stranger to high stakes, said, “I’ve always put on my best games late in the year at Ohio State,” and added, “You know, going on with this run, I want to be that guy that they can lean on if they need me and whenever my number is called.”

Defensive Line Adjustments and the Role of Derrick Harmon

The potential return of rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon could help keep Achane in check. Harmon, a first‑round pick from Oregon, has been questionable after missing the last two games with a knee injury unrelated to the one he sustained near the end of training camp.

Rushing defense numbers with and without Harmon in the lineup are striking. The Steelers surrender nearly 100 yards fewer a game on the ground when Harmon lines up at No. 99 on the interior.

Longtime Pittsburgh defensive lineman Cam Heyward said, “Derrick is very stout,” and added, “We’re having guys that are learning and coming along very well.”

The Steelers need this learning curve to level off if they want to reach the playoffs for a third straight season. The remaining stretch beyond Monday night includes a trip to run‑heavy Detroit and a Week 18 visit by Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens.

Whether that final game is for a playoff spot or a chance to rest hinges on Pittsburgh’s ability to adapt without its arguably best player. While the “next man up” mentality has long been an NFL cliche, the Steelers have embraced it.

The Human Side of the ‘Next Man Up’ Mentality

Herbig acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Watt. “Obviously you can’t replace a guy like (Watt),” Herbig said. “A Hall of Famer, the best in the league, the best to ever do it. It’s hard to replace a guy like that. But we’re going to do everything in our ability to make sure we do the right things by him.”

Herbig, Sawyer, and the rest of the black‑and‑gold roster know that embracing the mentality and succeeding at it are two different things.

The Steelers’ defensive unit is poised to prove that depth and leadership can compensate for a temporary loss of talent. The upcoming game will test the team’s resilience and the effectiveness of its “next man up” approach.

Key Takeaways

• T.J. Watt will miss the Monday‑night game with the Dolphins due to a collapsed‑lung surgery.
• Nick Herbig has stepped into a larger role, recording 6 ½ sacks and demonstrating leadership.
• Rookie Jack Sawyer and potential return of Derrick Harmon will bolster the defense while Watt recovers.

The Steelers’ ability to adapt to Watt’s absence will determine whether they can sustain their AFC North lead and secure a playoff spot.

Closing

As the Steelers prepare for a high‑stakes showdown, the focus shifts to the depth of their roster and the mentorship culture instilled by Watt. Herbig’s growth, Sawyer’s emergence, and Harmon’s potential return form the backbone of a defense ready to face Miami’s run‑heavy offense. The outcome of Monday night will reveal whether the Steelers can keep their winning streak alive and maintain their position at the top of the AFC North.