The Pittsburgh Steelers have their longtime defensive captain back.
Cameron Heyward was activated off of the injured reserve list Wednesday, clearing the way for the veteran defensive lineman to make his return to the active lineup for Thursday night’s home game against the Tennessee Titans.
Heyward has been on IR since being forced to leave the Steelers’ season opener as the result of a groin injury.
“He’s a difference maker. He really is,” defensive co-captain T.J. Watt said of Heyward. “He’s been doing it for a long time. A guy that has played in this matchup (against the Titans) more than a few times himself. Any time you can plug in a player like him, it’s going to make a difference no matter what.”
Heyward, a 13-year veteran and three-time AP NFL first-team All-Pro, aggravated an injury during the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He has missed the past six games, the first he had sat out because of injury since 2016.
