Full Strength: DeMarvin Leal Aims to Return vs. Falcons

PITTSBURGH — Steelers DL DeMarvin Leal is aiming to return this week against the Falcons and his knee feels 100 percent, he told Steelers Now on Friday.

Leal opened up his 21-day window on November 16th. He had missed four previous games after having surgery on his torn meniscus. It appears that it is possible Leal could return as early as this week, and he belives that he could do it given how his knee feels after two weeks of practice.

“I feel great,” Leal said. “Really, I think I’m back to 100 percent. I’m got back into my technique and my bag. When I’m back, I’m going to be back better than before.”

Leal did say that it is up to the coaches if he plays or not. However, the defensive lineman feels like his explosiveness is back, and more importantly, he is fully confident in his knee. Leal has made it a point to go out and test how his knee feels in practices, and he came away extremely confident.

“Yeah, that trust is fully there (in the knee),” Leal said. “I’m 100 percent with it from a trust standpoint. Honestly, I’m committed to myself. I’m ready to get back to it.”

So, DeMarvin Leal should be ready to come back shortly. Leal is ready to see the defensive line healthy, and he is willing to play wherever they ask him to play. In fact, he takes specific pride in being the Steelers’ special swiss army knife. So, when he returns look out for Leal to play often and play everywhere.