Mike Tomlin expects one of his ailing defensive leaders to be ready for training camp this summer. Cameron Heyward, who missed Weeks 2 through 8 of the 2023 season with a groin injury, underwent surgery in February.
“I’m not anticipating it to be a factor by the time we get to training camp,” Tomlin told reporters, via The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Florida, on Monday.
Heyward initially suffered a less severe injury on the first day of training camp, but just 14 snaps into the season-opening loss to the San Fransisco 49ers, the groin tore completely off the bone.
The 2011 first-round pick was given a 12-week recovery prognosis after surgery but returned in half the time. While the quick turnaround was commendable, it turned out to be far too soon. Favoring his right groin by overcompensating with his left (and a bum knee), Heyward was a shell of his usual productive self, and his two sacks were the fewest since becoming a starter a decade ago.
Heyward, who turns 35 in May, is only one season removed from 10.5 sacks, so it’s not impossible to think he can still make an impact.
Mike Tomlin on Cam Heyward's offseason surgery: "I'm not anticipating it to be a factor by the time we get to training camp."
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 25, 2024
