Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree's season officially ended after suffering a torn right ACL in their win over the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. This is certainly a devastating hand the injury gods dealt to Pittsburgh. Linebacker T.J. Watt admitted how deflating it was to see Dupree go down like that and how it will affect the Steelers' defense moving forward.

Nonetheless, the 26-year-old sees this as an opportunity for rookie Alex Highsmith to step in. In fact, the two-time Pro Bowler expects the Steelers' third-round pick to contribute in a big way in Dupree's absence for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Via Teresa Varley of Steelers.com:

“You have to know it's the next man up mentality. You have guys like Alex Highsmith who is preparing like he has been a starter this whole time. We have to trust that the coaches are going to put him in the best position, us in the best position, to keep going forward. I have all of the confidence in the world in the guys in this locker room that we are going to be all right.”

It will be Highsmith, a rookie who was taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, who the majority of the work will fall upon, and Watt likes the way the young linebacker gets things done.

“He always come to work ready to grow and get better,” said Watt. “That is the thing with him. He is always asking the right questions. I am not able to see guys prepare this year because we are all socially distanced and watching film from home. I know he is prepared. I feel very confident in his ability to step in.”

These words from Watt should instill some much-needed confidence for the 23-year-old. The 11-0 Steelers expect him to fill in the huge shoes left by Dupree's season-ending injury. While this may be a tall order for a rookie, Watt believes Highsmith will come through.

Dupree became the second defensive starter on the Steelers to tear his ACL this season. Middle linebacker Devin Bush suffered a torn ACL back in their Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns.