Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman (DL) Cam Heyward is set to undergo surgery to repair his groin today, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Steelers perennial Pro Bowl DL Cam Heyward is having surgery to repair his groin today in Pittsburgh, per me and @MikeGarafolo. He’s expected to miss about eight weeks, but will be back midway through this season. He suffered his injury Sunday. pic.twitter.com/RQVLrfKA05
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2023
Well, Heyward injured his groin during the first half of the game against the 49ers.
Although he tried to continue playing, the severity of the injury forced him to leave the field for good. To address the issue, Heyward will undergo surgery today and begin his recovery process.
According to initial estimates, he is expected to miss approximately eight weeks, making his potential return around Week 12 in the Steelers’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 26th.
In Heyward’s absence, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to find suitable replacements to maintain their defensive line’s effectiveness. Among the players who may step up are DeMarvin Leal and Isaiah Loudermilk.
Additionally, veteran defensive lineman Armon Watts should also see increased playing time. Another potential option could be elevating nose tackle Breiden Fehoko from the Steelers’ practice squad. The coaching staff will need to strategize and ensure a seamless transition during Heyward’s absence.
Cam Heyward, now 34 years old, has proven himself as one of the league’s top interior defensive linemen. He has displayed consistent performance over the years and has recorded double-digit sack seasons in recent years. With an impressive career total of 78.5 sacks, he ranks third in team history.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will face a tough test as they host the Cleveland Browns on Monday night. The Browns demonstrated their strong rushing capabilities by amassing 206 rushing yards in Week One against the Cincinnati Bengals.
