Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin Tuesday during his first weekly news conference of the season responding to whether he believes Cam Heyward would sit out the team’s season opener in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon.
Heyward said ‘we’ll see’ when asked if he will be out there on his podcast this week. Monday, Heyward was elected captain and Tomlin noted last week was a full participant in practices. The 36-year-old is seeking a salary increase saying he earned more money with his performance last year even though he had just agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension last year.
Tomlin also said he will be ready to go, getting enough work in camp in Latrobe and in Pittsburgh. He says Heyward hasn’t gone full in the last several years.
“Cam, he and I have been together for a lot of years,” Tomlin said. “He’s logged a bunch of snaps. His runway required to take off is short compared to others. You go through things with people and you learn what they can manage in terms of readiness.”
“My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe and I’ve done my job. There is no reservations about his participation or his readiness, I’m sure he’s chomping at the bit.”
The only player ruled out is another defensive lineman, first round pick Derrick Harmon.
“It’s going to be a committee of people,” Tomlin said. “I would imagine it would have been a committee of people if he were available. We generally play a lot of D-linemen particularly early in the season due to lack of conditioning and potential heat.”
Rookie, fifth-round pick Yahya Black is listed behind Harmon on the depth chart, with fifth-year Isaiahh Loudermilk and Esezi Otomewo as the other back-up tackles and ends. They could also move Keeanu Benton out wide and play vet Daniel Ekuale.