Pittsburgh Steelers' Cam Heyward injured his groin and missed six games in 2023. It is the most time he has missed since the 2016 season when a torn pectoral muscle cost him his only chance to play in an AFC Championship game. Heyward will be 35 years old when entering the final year of his contract in 2024. He is still the Steelers' best defensive lineman and the captain of the Pittsburgh defense, despite his injury.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers DT Cam Heyward and LB TJ Watt celebrate a sack in their Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Heyward returned to the field in Week 9 of the 2023 season against the Tennessee Titans and helped the Steelers win the game, 20-16. He played the remaining nine games on the schedule and in the 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game. Heyward, who won the NFL Walter Payton Man of The Year Award recently, underwent surgery on Monday to repair the groin/core muscle injury he sustained in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Tom Pelissero from NFL Network.
Steelers DL Cameron Heyward's surgery Tuesday was a clean-up procedure for a groin/core muscle issue, per @TomPelissero https://t.co/Gy6ygy9XVO pic.twitter.com/Ry5DTr5flJ
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 21, 2024
Heyward, for his part, seemed in good spirits and posted a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram. He captioned the photo, “Surgery done finally!!! Ready to get back to feeling good!” The Steelers hope to have their defensive captain fully healed by the time training camp rolls around.
After the Instagram post, the two-time All-Pro was not done sharing with social media. Heyward posted on X that his efforts after returning from the injury were limited in the second half of the season.
“Done doing stuff on 1 leg that guys were doing on 2 legs, lol,” Heyward wrote. “Can’t wat to get back to myself.”
The six games away were the main factor in Heyward’s streak of seven Pro Bowl selections ending in 2023. It also revealed that the Steelers' depth on the defensive line has to be addressed by Omar Khan, Andy Weidl, and Mike Tomlin before the 2024 season begins. Keeanu Benton emerged as a force in Heyward’s absence, but the coaching staff woefully underutilized him.
Steelers' Cam Heyward Infuriated At Anyone Suggesting He Should Take A Pay Cut
Heyward will count for over $22 million towards the Steelers' salary cap this season. He has publicly indicated he will not take a pay cut, but Khan will need to use all of his artistry to free up money for key free agents. Heyward is not the first Steelers legend to face this issue. Jerome Bettis and Ben Roethlisberger took significant pay cuts to remain with Pittsburgh late in their careers.
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Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass while being rushed by Larry Ogunjobi of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's game on September 10, 2023.
The Steelers have Larry Ogunjobi under contract for the next two years along with Benton, but Heyward is entering the final year of his deal. Isaiahh Loudermilk has a chance to be extended as a depth piece if the Steelers can ink a reasonable new contract. DeMarvin Leal seems to have potentially played himself off the roster in another draft failure by Kevin Colbert.
Khan and Weidl could address the position by drafting Jer'Zhan Newton from Illinois or, potentially, Kris Jenkins from Michigan in the first two rounds of the upcoming April NFL Draft. They could also turn to the free agent market. In 2023, Khan demonstrated that he was willing to consider older free agents for reasonable compensation. Fletcher Cox and Sheldon Rankins could be solid solutions that would allow the Steelers to add developmental players at the position later in the draft.
Peter Diana / Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward signs autographs during a practice in 2018 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
No matter which direction Khan takes to improve the defensive line, a healthy and happy Heyward is a key component of the Steelers' success in 2024. He completed step one towards ensuring that after a successful surgery this week.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you excited to see a healthy Heyward play a full season in 2024? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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