Steelers DT Cam Heyward Hints at Early Return

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward is still officially on the injured reserve list, but he hinted on social media at a return for his team’s Thursday Night Football game against the Tennessee Titans this week.

Heyward was listed as a full participant in practice on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The team captain took to X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter, with a quote from a John Wick movie to reference his situation.

“People keep asking if I’m back, and I haven’t really had an answer,” Wick, who was portrayed by Keanu Reeves says in the clip posted by Heyward.

pic.twitter.com/72TxRx7UqA

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) November 1, 2023

In the film, Wick’s next line is “But now, yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!”

Heyward suffered what the team has referred to as a groin injury in the team’s season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers. That injury required core muscle surgery, to repair an injury that is commonly known as a sports hernia.

RELATED: Steelers DT Cam Heyward Reveals Exact Injury Details

Heyward was expected to miss eight weeks after the surgery, but he predicted that he would return ahead of schedule, and that prediction appears to be coming true.

He was designated to return from the injured reserve list last week, and practiced two times that week before two sessions this week.

“I am taking it day-by-day,” Heyward said last Thursday. “I am not rushing the process. The healing is taking effect. But I have to get reps under my belt. I gotta feel more comfortable with what I am doing. Trust myself, trust my body. We’ll see where we are at.”

The Steelers have a vacant slot on their 53-man roster, so they do not have to make a transaction in order to activate Heyward.

A four-time All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in six consecutive seasons, Heyward’s return should be a big boost for a defense that is 27 in rushing yards per game against this season.