Injured Steelers Pass Rusher DeMarvin Leal Gives New Update After Suffering Neck Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost pass rusher DeMarvin Leal for the season in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. Leal collided on a tough hit with Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, resulting in a season-ending neck injury. The 2022 third-round pick had shown flashes of potential in his early career, with many anticipating a breakout season in 2024. Unfortunately, his injury derailed those hopes, leaving the Steelers without one of their promising defensive playmakers.

Leal’s absence has been a blow to the Steelers’ defensive line, which had been counting on his development heading into the 2024 season. 

With his impressive size and versatility, Leal was expected to play a significant role in the rotation, adding depth to an already stout defensive front. Instead, Pittsburgh has had to adjust and fill the void left by Leal’s injury, hoping others can step up in his place.

On Tuesday, Leal took to social media to reveal that he had undergone surgery six weeks ago to address the injury. While it’s a tough setback, Leal’s transparency and commitment to recovery signal that he’s focused on coming back strong for the next season. The Steelers will be hoping for his full recovery as they look to continue building their defense around their young and talented core.

As the trade deadline approached, the Steelers acquired former Green Bay Packers pass rusher Preston Smith, likely in response to the loss of Leal for the season. 

Smith has been a welcome addition to the team and is expected to see even more opportunities moving forward. He was a dominant force with the Packers before a shift in their defensive scheme led to his desire for a change. The Steelers took advantage of the situation, landing the veteran for what many consider a steal.

Steelers' DeMarvin Leal Hopeful To Build On His Progress

Leal’s start in Pittsburgh has been solid, though not spectacular. While his early performances haven’t been earth-shattering, they haven’t been disappointing either. 

He’s done a good job so far, and once he’s fully recovered from his injury, Leal will look to continue making an impact on the Steelers' defensive line. The team is hopeful that he can build on his progress and emerge as a key contributor in the years to come.

Leal has made his impact felt and still has time to get better. While it's not an ideal situation, Steeler Nation is happy to hear that his surgery has been put behind him and that Leal is continuing to get better. Fans are eager to see him get back to full health and make his impact felt once again.

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