REPORT - Steelers Lose Cam Heyward For Multiple Weeks With Groin Injury

Flash backs of 2022 are likely now on the minds of Pittsburgh Steelers fans as news just broke that All-Pro defensive lineman Cam Heyward is likely to miss multiple games. Two years in a row the Steelers have lost All-Pro's during their Week 1 contests. Last year, it was TJ Watt missing nearly the first half of the season and this year it will be Heyward. 

The news comes from NFL insiders Mike Garafolo, and Ian Rapoport who just released this statement on Twitter / X:

"Steelers six-time Pro Bowl DL and co-defensive captain Cam Heyward is expected to miss multiple weeks with a groin injury suffered on Sunday against the #49ers, sources tell me and @RapSheet

A trip to IR is likely and all options are on the table, including surgery to repair."

It's unknown at this point if the surgery option would be season ending for Heyward. The Steelers have dealt with their fair share of hamstring, and groin injuries the past few seasons. In 2021, several players struggled with groin injuries that caused them to miss several games at the beginning of the season.

UPDATE** Now being reported by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that Heyward will have surgery and miss at least 8 weeks. 

The loss is a significant one for the Steelers defensive front. Heyward was hurt early in the game on Sunday and managed to only play a few snaps after initally leaving the game. Later it appeared like he might re-enter after trying to work through it on the sidelines. But that didn't happen, and the Steelers were shredded by San Francisco's Christian McCaffery. McCaffery ran for 152 yards on 22 carries including a 65-yard touchdown run to open the second half of their 30-7 beat down of Pittsburgh. 

Without Heyward, the Steelers will turn to rookie Keeanu Benton, Armon Watts, and Isaiahh Loudermilk along with second-year tweener DeMarvin Leal to fill the spot. Leal and Loudermilk didn't exactly have an impressive game after Heyward's exit. If Heyward heads to injured reserve, that will open a roster spot and allow them to bring Breiden Fehoko back to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.

Fehoko was signed during the offseason after spending multiple years with the Los Angeles Chargers. He played well enough to keep a spot on the 53-man roster, but with a crowded and talented defensive room, he was the odd man out. 

Steelers Always Can Rely On Cam Heyward

Injuries haven't been an issue for Heyward over his career. Since 2016, Heyward has only missed two games for the Steelers. Both of those games were because the team rested starters heading into the playoffs. In 2016, Heyward was limited to 7 games due to injury, and before that had never missed a game due to an injury.