Watch: Explosive D destroys Lions’ first drive

The Pittsburgh Steelers were slated to put their starting lineup in play against the Detroit Lions in the final NFL preseason game of 2024, per head coach Mike Tomin, but T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cameron Heyward didn’t take the field when the Lions began their first offensive series on Saturday. Instead, outside linebacker Nick Herbig was given the start, as was DeMarvin Leal and Keeanu Benton along the defensive front.

The result was that the trio were fired up to make an immediate impact on this game.

Hendon Hooker was the starting quarterback for Detroit, and he was given no quarter in the ensuing onslaught that Pittsburgh threw at him. Hooker was able to get a short pass off to Zonovan Knight, a handoff, and a short pass over the middle to Shane Zylstra. Then, the Steelers unleashed.

On 1st & 10 at their own 49, Hooker chose to go no-huddle and took the snap from shotgun. Herbig, who’d gotten into the Lions’ offensive backfield the play before, was able to beat a double-team to earn the first sack in the game.

On 2nd & 15, Leal and Benton strong-armed their way through the Lions line to dump Hooker for another sack and load of seven yards.

On 3rd & 22, Herbig got to Hooker’s back in a hurry, swatting the ball as he brought the quarterback down. The Steelers collapsed into the area and Dean Lowry was able to recover the fumble at the Detroit 35.

To understand it, you have to see the series of plays again.

The Steelers would two more sacks thanks to preseason sleeper Julius Welschof. Welschof has been very active in the preseason and may have made a case for him retaining a spot on the regular season roster.