Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (illness) did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. Heyward is an absolute game-wrecker. He will be completely necessary for the Steelers to have any chance of winning this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. The 35-year-old has produced quite the season. In all 17 games played, Heyward has racked up 71 total tackles and eight sacks. He is excellent in both the running and passing games. With the Ravens able to beat teams in a multitude of ways, Heyward's services will be needed in all facets of the game. Heyward's absence on a Wednesday is not concerning at this point. Hopefully, he will return to practice before the weekend to avoid a game designation. However, Heyward is a savvy veteran who has the ability to play on limited to no practice reps.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (illness) was absent during Tuesday's practice session. Heyward played his normal role during the regular season finale last weekend, so he must've picked up the illness afterwards. The Steelers don't play until Saturday for their Wild-Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. That being said, Heyward has plenty of time to recover before Saturday's contest. His absence would be a significant loss for this defense considering he well Heyward has performed this season. Heyward finished the regular season with 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks across 17 games.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (rest) was once again absent from the practice field on Tuesday. This is now back-to-back days that Heyward has sat out of practice for rest purposes. The veteran pass rusher doesn't appear to be dealing with any injuries and he has played in all the games so far this season. Heyward has recorded 39 tackles, six tackles for loss, and five sacks through 10 games this season. The Steelers have a short week with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. It looks like the Steelers just want to keep Heyward fresh for that game.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension on Tuesday. Heyward is one of the Steelers' best defensive players. Keeping Heyward happy is extremely important to their success. He will help to anchor the Steelers D/ST in fantasy football in 2024. Additionally, Heyward and the rest of the Steelers' defense will help take pressure off the offense and allow an easier path to success for wide receiver George Pickens and running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris in fantasy.
Cameron Heyward Not Optimistic About Getting A Deal Done
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is entering the final year of his current deal, and if he doesn't sign by the organization's self-imposed Sept. 8 deadline, the most-tenured player on the roster will hit free agency next year for the first time in his storied 14-year career. Pittsburgh wants to keep the 35-year-old, but he's coming off an injury-plagued year, and they'd rather address his contract in the offseason. Heyward wants more security and said he wants to play for three more years. He didn't show up for a portion of offseason workouts but returned for the final week of OTAs and minicamp. Heyward isn't optimistic a deal will get done, but he's been in a similar position before eventually signing before the season. He's coming off two groin surgeries over five months and is a shell of his former self as a pass-rusher.
Cameron Heyward Wants To Retire A Pittsburgh Steeler
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward doesn't want to play for another team before he hangs up his cleats for good. "The goal is to be a steeler for the rest of my career," Heyward wrote in a social media post on Sunday. The 35-year-old has spent his last 13 seasons with the Steelers since the team drafted him in 2011. He finished last season by amassing only two sacks, 8.5 fewer than the 2023-24 campaign. But Heyward appeared in just 11 games after suffering a groin injury during training camp, so he should bounce back if he stays healthy. With that said, Heyward wants to play for three more seasons before calling it quits, although it appears he's not looking to play at a discounted rate.
Cameron Heyward Plans To Hold Out As He Seeks Extension
Pittsburgh Steelers six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Heyward hasn't attended the team's voluntary offseason workouts and doesn't plan to attend organized team activities as he seeks a contract extension, according to sources. Heyward is a long-time team captain who has never missed an offseason program. The 35-year-old former 31st overall pick by the Steelers in 2011 out of Ohio State is entering the final year of his four-year, $65 million deal. The 35-year-old has obviously been one of the faces of the franchises for a long time now, but he played in only 11 games due to a core injury in 2023 and finished with just 33 tackles (25 solo), two sacks, six tackles for loss and a pass defended. Contract issues aside, Heyward is expected to be a full-go for the start of training camp and the 2024 regular season. He has 80.5 career sacks and could be streamer in IDP leagues in good matchups if he's healthy in 2024.
Cameron Heyward Expected To Be Healthy For Training Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (groin) had a cleanup procedure this offseason to help fix a lingering issue with his groin and core-muscle surgery from in-season, but head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't think Heyward's recovery would linger into the training programs this offseason. "I'm not anticipating it to be a factor by the time we get to training camp," Tomlin said. The 34-year-old veteran should have missed 12 weeks last year after his initial surgery, but he powered back quicker than that. He also dealt with a knee issue that kept him from practicing fully throughout almost the entire season. The six-time Pro Bowler could bounce back in IDP fantasy leagues in 2024 if he's completely healthy. Heyward had only two sacks in 11 starts in 2023 but recorded 20.5 sacks the previous two seasons combined.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (undisclosed) recently posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed with the caption, "Surgery done finally! Ready to get back to feeling good!" It's unclear what procedure the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year underwent, but he missed six games while on Injured Reserve with a groin injury in 2023. The 34-year-old is a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection, so his status and health heading into 2024 is a key development for the Steelers, who have failed to win a playoff game since 2016. Injuries to key players have been a constant in recent seasons.
Cameron Heyward Named Walter Payton Man Of The Year
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive co-captain Cameron Heyward was named the NFL's 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year on Thursday. The award was established in 1970 and is considered the league's most prestigious honor as it recognizes NFL players who excel on the field and also demonstrate a meaningful impact in their community. He created The Heyward House in 2014, a program that benefits underprivileged children and their families through a variety of programs, with an emphasis on fighting hunger, combating cancer, encouraging childhood literacy and providing support for students and teachers. On the field, Heyward has been a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro. The 34-year-old veteran pass-rusher only played in 11 games in 2023 and had 33 tackles (25 solo) and two sacks for the Steelers.