Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward will play in the team’s final preseason game on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, he said on his Not Just Football podcast on Wednesday, and he expects that most of the starters will play the first half of the game.
Heyward and most of the team’s veteran starters were held out of the preseason opener two weeks ago. He was scheduled to play in the second preseason game in Jacksonville last Saturday, but suffered an injury in practice on Thursday.
“I’m looking forward to playing,” Heyward said. “God forbid anything happens in practice [this week.]”
Heyward added that he was held out of the Jaguars game purely as a precaution after his left foot and ankle were stepped on during practice. He said there was no structural damage and was even able to keep up his cardiovascular conditioning while he sat out of the game.
Heyward said this week against the Lions will be a full dress rehearsal for the Steelers, and that he expects most of the starters to play about a half, something he said he’s looking forward to.
“I want to start getting into a rhythm on the field,” Heyward said. “It’s one thing to compete against your guys in practice, but nothing really replaces playing in games. So I’m looking forward to having a real mock week in practice, whether it’s game film and study, making sure I take care of my body, getting my three lifts in … these things I do to simulate what a real week will look like.”
Heyward said he also expects that the Lions will play their starters “at least” half the game, providing a strong test for the Steelers. The two teams played to a tie at Heinz Field last fall in a game that Mason Rudolph started at quarterback. Mitch Trubisky is expected to be the Steelers’ starter on Sunday, while Lions starter Jared Goff will not play.