Cam Heyward Misses Practice with Illness

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the playing field at Chuck Noll Field on the campus of St. Vincent College on Sunday, but defensive lineman Cam Heyward did not.

Heyward was held out of practice due to an illness, head coach Mike Tomlin said. He also did not participate in the team’s preseason opener at Tampa Bay on Friday. With the team off on Saturday and off again on Monday, Heyward was allowed to rest and recuperate at home.

“He’s sick and so we thought we’d allow him to get right and maybe protect some of the others in the process,” Tomlin said.

Without Heyward and fellow defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi in the lineup, the Steelers turned to DeMarvin Leal and lsaiahh Loudermilk for first-team reps on Sunday, flanking nose tackle Montravius Adams. Loudermilk and Armon Watts started against Tampa Bay on Friday night.

The defense depth battle behind Heyward has been intense, with Adams, Watts, Loudermilk, Leal, Breiden Fehoko and second-round Keeanu Benton pick all in consideration for a limited number of roster spots along the defensive line. Benton suffered an injury on Friday and did not practice Sunday. Ogunjobi missed the game and Sunday’s practice with an injury that Tomlin described as minor.

The Steelers will return to practice at St. Vincent College on Tuesday, the last of three final practices before the team breaks camp on Thursday. The team will host its second preseason game of the season on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.

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