Steelers could be without two top defenders in Week 15

For those who think things can't get any worse for the Steelers (7-6), think again. Not only will they be without second-year QB Kenny Pickett for at least another game or two, but the team could be missing two of its top defenders come Week 15.

Pass rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are both in the concussion protocol following Pittsburgh's Week 14 loss to the Patriots on "Thursday Night Football," putting their statuses in question for the team's matchup with the Colts (7-6).

Highsmith left the game and never returned while Watt finished the game after taking a knee to the face on the first play of the game.

Watt began "experiencing symptoms" Friday morning, which is when the team announced he was joining his teammate in the concussion protocol.

On the bright side, the Steelers had a mini-bye week by playing on Thursday night. So, both players will have a little extra time to be cleared by next weekend, but it's certainly not a guarantee.

If Watt and Highsmith were unable to play come Saturday, Pittsburgh would be seriously lacking in its pass rush. The two players have combined for 101 tackles, 20 sacks, 21 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, two interceptions and one touchdown this season.

The next men up in that scenario would likely be veteran LB Markus Golden and rookie LB Nick Herbig, the Steelers' fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Golden and Herbig have combined for 32 tackles, five sacks, eight tackles for a loss and one forced fumble, albeit in less playing time than Watt and Highsmith.

Either way, Pittsburgh's defense, which has quietly allowed the seventh fewest points per game (19.2) in the league, will be far less dominant if Watt and Highsmith aren't cleared in time.