Steelers activate six-time Pro Bowler from injured reserve

Heyward suffered a groin injury in Week 1 that ultimately required surgery. After being given an initial recovery timeline of eight weeks, the defensive lineman was able to return to the field about seven weeks after his operation. Heyward returned to Steelers practice last week.

“I trust what they’re doing, and I know my body, and I know I’m up there in age, but I feel like I progressed pretty well,” Heyward told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor last week.

The 2011 first-round pick has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh, earning six Pro Bowl appearances and three first-team All-Pro nods in his 12-plus seasons with the organization. Prior to his injury this season, Heyward had only missed a single regular season game since the 2018 campaign.

Despite 2022 marking his age-32 season, Heyward was still plenty productive. He added another Pro Bowl to his resume after finishing with 74 tackles, 10.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The veteran is still attached to a four-year, $65.6M extension he signed with the Steelers back in 2020.