Unfortunately It Looks Like Bud Dupree Tore His ACL Against The Ravens

Fuck. God this sucks. Wednesday was about as close to a loss as the Steelers could get. It honestly feels that way after this news about Bud. Play like shit then lose the second half of a really, really good pass rush to start the December run. 

Just brutal. No other way to put it. Steelers are losing 8 sacks through 11 games coming off the quarterback's blindside. Not to mention Bud is one of the Steelers best run defenders. 

What comes next? 

It looks like it's rookie Alex Highsmith's time. Well, I'm sure he'll share snaps with Ola Adeniyi coming off the edge, but my guess would be that the 2020 3rd round pick will have his time to get the "next man up" calling. 

Highsmith has had a good showing so far his rookie year obviously being behind TJ Watt and Bud Dupree. He only has 1 sack and 1 INT in his limited snaps so far this season but he's shown flashes of being able to rush the passer and be a strong run stopper as well. Certainly won't be a Bud Dupree, but the Steelers knew that they were likely to lose Bud Dupree to free agency after this year so Highsmith was drafted to fill that edge role. 

Now, his time will come a little earlier than expected. 

It does suck so badly for Bud. He had a rough start to his career but has been so damn good the last two and a half seasons. He's been a hell of a Steeler, and he was about to get paid the big bucks this offseason. Now he faces the long road of rehab. Thoughts and prayers to Big Bud.