The Steelers' 187 points are the fifth-most in the AFC, just one point less than Houston, which scores the fourth-most points.

“It’s good to have a quick start to the season,” Highsmith said. “We know the schedule we have for the second half of the season, so we have to continue to get better every day, not settle, not become complacent. The AFC North is waiting for us – another tough opponent.” also games.”

Some additional reinforcements are coming.

When the Steelers return from the bye week, they should have center Zach Frazier back after he missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Nick Herbig, who missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, should also be available.

And the Steelers have opened the practice window for both offensive tackle Dylan Cook and linebacker Tyler Matakevich. Both were on injured reserve and expected to return.

Veteran cornerback Cam Sutton is also eligible to return to the team after sitting out the first eight games while serving a suspension for an off-field incident.

The Steelers will need all hands on deck down the stretch.

• On a day when Austin and Jefferson made an impact, the Steelers placed third-round draft pick Roman Wilson on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

That's unfortunate. The rookie wide receiver has missed all but a single game this season, including the entire preseason due to an ankle injury.

But that doesn't mean Wilson was a wasted draft pick.

Injuries happen. And when they happen to young players, it is extremely difficult to get on a moving train.

However, this gives others the opportunity to put their own stamp on the season.

“We talk too much about people we don’t have in this business,” Tomlin said. “There are always other deserving men on the other end of this conversation who get a chance. Ryan McCollum is one of those guys. A big reason why we have been successful in terms of running football.”

McCollum, who started the last two games in place of Frazier, had a huge task ahead of him: He was facing 340-pound nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and his league-leading nine sacks.

Lawrence had four tackles and a quarterback hit. He also threw Russell Wilson into a sack.

But he didn't ruin the game.

McCollum didn't do this alone. He was often helped with Lawrence. But that's what you do against a great player.

• Pickens had two touchdowns of his own from the backboard in this game. But he was one of the first players to run into the end zone to congratulate Austin after his punt return touchdown, even though he wasn't involved in the game.

That gives a glimpse of what his teammates think of Austin, who always seems optimistic, even in his rookie season when he missed a year.

“Calvin deserved this moment,” Jefferson said. “He deserves all the success. We are so happy for him. He just wants to play and he's just eager to impact the game. I'm just so proud of him. I know he’ll build on that.”