UPDATE: Heyward has returned to the game
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive tackle Cam Heyward left the field with an injury against the Houston Texans. Heyward limped off the field after a play near midfield against the Texans. He stayed down for a minute before gingerly exiting the field of play.
Heyward suffered a thigh bruise last week against the Baltimore Ravens on the first play of the game. His injury looms large, as the Texans have been able to run the ball well throughout the course of the game.
The Texans have a 69 percent rushing success rate in the first half against the Steelers, but still scored just seven points despite that.
A second-team All-Pro, Heyward was the only All-Pro selection for the Steelers year. Without him, it would be more Esezi Otomewo and Derrick Harmon in sub-packages.
The 36-year-old had 3.5 sacks, but led the NFL in snaps among interior defensive lineman, was first in passes defensed, and ninth in pressures. That bastion of consistency earned Heyward the distinction of All-Pro.
For Heyward, this was his sixth selection and second second-team distinction. He has five All-Pro selections since he turned 30 years old in 2019.
During that time, he has five Pro Bowls and 47 sacks. That is an age-defying stretch for his career, one that is becoming the ultimate outlier in the NFL landscape.
Still, the Steelers will hope to get Heyward back in this game as they have struggled to slow down the Texans rushing attack.
