When it rains, it pours for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Not only were they humiliated and ran off the field in their season opener vs. the San Francisco 49ers, but they also suffered some major losses off the field.
According to a report by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Mike Tomlin’s team will have to do without star DT Cam Heyward, who’s going to miss at least eight weeks.
#Steelers perennial Pro Bowl DL Cam Heyward is having surgery to repair his groin today in Pittsburgh, per me and @MikeGarafolo. He’s expected to miss about eight weeks, but will be back midway through this season. He suffered his injury Sunday. pic.twitter.com/RQVLrfKA05
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2023
The star defensive tackle will undergo surgery to repair his injured groin, and the only good news is that he’ll be back at some point in the season.
The 13-year-old veteran is an irreplaceable piece of the Steelers’ scheme, and they’re reportedly not even going to bother trying to find him a replacement.
The team will likely turn to younger players like rookie Keeanu Benton when they face their divisional rival Cleveland Browns on Monday night.
Heyward suffered this sports hernia — also known as a core muscle injury — midway through the disastrous game vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Notably, the Steelers will also be without WR1 Diontae Johnson for a while, as he suffered a hamstring injury in that same game.
Of course, Allen Robinson II is expected to be more involved in the passing game now, all while second-year pro George Pickens handles most of the bulk.
This isn’t an ideal start to the season by any means, but if someone is always able to strike gold when his back is against the wall, it’s definitely Mike Tomlin.
NEXT: Kenny Pickett Gets Honest On Struggles Against 49ers
