PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – So what now as reports Cam Heyward would head to Injured Reserve and miss at least the next four weeks due to a groin injury? TJ Watt said the standard is the standard even though there is a reason Heyward was named a captain, but what is that behind Heyward?
DeMarvin Leal
The second-year, versatile defensive lineman played only 25% of the defensive snaps in the 11 games he played as a rookie. He finished with 14 tackles and three passes defended. On Sunday, Leal played in 38% of the snaps, dealing with his own elbow or triceps injury.
“I’ve conditioned myself over-and-over again during training camp and before that as well,” Leal said Friday. “It’s building on to all the pluses (about his development this year).”
“Having all of those reps throughout the preseason and into training camp and actually dialing down into that three technique and sometimes, four-wide. I’m actually settling down in there. Actually able to develop that while being completely healthy with the right body weight. I feel that has helped be a lot this offseason and training camp.”
“I think that is going to be a great value to our defense,” said Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith last week about Leal. “I’ve seen him grow over camp. I think his motor is going to add a lot of value to our defense. A guy coming in, willing to fly around and put his body on the line and go out there and make plays. I’m excited to see how he adds value to our defense this year.”
“All of us getting those reps, that chemistry, getting more comfortable not only with playing in the system, but playing with each other,” Leal said. “It’s going to make us all better, no matter who is starting. Who is getting on the field first or last. We are all going to be setting the same standard.”
“We have a deep room,” said Steelers linebacker TJ Watt said Friday. “I think you guys have seen that throughout preseason, just ready for any guy who is next to be in there. Leal and Loudermilk have done a great job of developing over the last couple of years.”
“It’s a little itch going on,” Leal said. “You can definitely tell when guys are sitting there being really attentive to what the calls are making sure they are seeing and knowing what is going on, even if they are not on the field. See it from a different perspective. That just tells guys are ready to get on the field and show who they are and what they are and what they believe they can do.”
“I think Marv (DeMarvin Leal) has done a good job,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin last week. “We really like Marv. He is a good young player. He's still ascending.”
Isaiahh Loudermilk
In his third-season out of Wisconsin, Leal played nearly half of the defensive snaps on Sunday (46%) with a tackle and a couple of passes defended. The 6’7”, 295-pound defensive tackle has put weight back on after losing a lot his first season with the team.
Loudermilk has played in 27 games with the Steelers, 435 snaps (288 in his rookie season).
“This year I’ve been feeling a lot better of going out and playing and not thinking a lot because I know the defense,” Loudermilk said recently. “I know what I’m supposed to do. That just makes me a little more comfortable having been here for a while. I can just go out and throw flames and play.”
Armon Watts
The veteran defensive lineman did not dress for the first game, but Watts is 6’5”, 307 pounds and has 57 games of NFL experience. With Chicago last year, Watts started 12 games and played in all 17 with a career-high four tackles for loss. In 17 games (9 starts) with the Vikings in 2021, Watts had five sacks, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, 10 quarterback hits and 46 tackles.
“Probably one of the deepest rooms I’ve been a part of for a long time,” Watts said after making the team. “There are very talented guys in the room. It brings out the best in all guys. I think playing with those veterans only brings out the best in you. I think my ability to help them rush the passer and push the pocket (are valuable).”
Position flexibility
Rookie Keeanu Neal and if they would activate veteran Breiden Fehoko off the practice squad, that could be the guys in the middle with Montravius Adams shifting out to tackle. It’s a nature position for the 6’3”, 304 pounder and he has the experience playing 23 games with the Steelers and 73 overall in his NFL career with 18 starts (14 with Pittsburgh). There is also 6’3”, 310-pound Jonathan Marshall on the practice squad and he could be added instead of Fehoko as a more true tackle.
It’s Week Two and that depth the Steelers bragged about is already being tested.