In 2022 it was T.J. Watt who was injured in Week 1 and missed several weeks as he recovered from a partially torn pectoral muscle. Fast forward to 2023 and it seems the defender who could be missing an extended period of time is defensive captain Cam Heyward.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network the Steelers defensive lineman is expected to miss “multiple weeks” after suffering a groin injury in Week 1 vs. the San Francisco 49ers. How bad is the injury? According to Rapoport it could result in surgery, and also could land the veteran on Injured Reserve (IR).

#Steelers perennial Pro Bowl DL Cam Heyward is expected to miss multiple weeks because of a groin injury suffered Sunday, per me and @MikeGarafolo. He’s likely headed to IR and evaluating all options — including surgery. Decision coming soon. pic.twitter.com/cyCgM7y3XI

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2023

If Heyward is lost for an extended period of time, and the Steelers want to promote another lineman to help bolster the offensive line, they would be wise to put him on IR to allow him to fully heal before returning to the team.

When you are talking about filling the void left by Heyward, you have to understand it isn’t a one person job. It would likely involve promoting Breiden Fehoko off the team’s practice squad, and also players like Armon Watts, Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk all trying to fill the giant void Heyward would leave.

To add a new level of intrigue to this situation is the elbow/triceps injury to DeMarvin Leal in Week 1. Will he even be available to help chip in along the defensive front? Mike Tomlin will speak with media Tuesday at noon and will likely outline some of the injuries heading into Week 2.

UPDATE:

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Heyward will have surgery, land on IR, and will miss roughly 8 weeks.

BREAKING: Steelers DE Cam Heyward will have surgery to repair injured groin on Wednesday and expected to miss up to 8 weeks, per sources. Sustained injury vs 49ers.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 11, 2023

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh.