Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal explains the season-ending injury he suffered last season.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5 of last season. He had surgery this offseason to correct the injury and revealed just how brutal it was on Wednesday.
“Basically had a bone spur and scoliosis in the back of my neck that they had to get out,” Leal said. “About six to seven weeks of bed rest. Another three or four without any contact or anything. Maybe like last month I was finally cleared.”
It was devastating injury for Leal, who was in the midst of a position change. He spent the first two years of his NFL career as an interior defensive lineman, but he and the team were experimenting with a switch to outside linebacker.
In his new position, Leal flashed the upside that made him a third-round pick (No. 84) in the 2022 NFL Draft.
However, it was too small of a sample size to confirm it is the right spot for him. That’s why he’s planning to stick there heading into the 2025 season.
“That’s definitely the place for me this year, most definitely,” Leal said. “The change was made last year, just couldn’t finish with it, getting injured in the middle of the season. This year, now we back on it.”
It’s a big year for Leal as he is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, but after a long road to recovery, he’s ready to prove he’s worth a second deal in Pittsburgh.
“It’s completely good,” Leal said. “Feels good. 100 percent. Fresh legs.”
Leal has recorded 33 tackles (20 solo), one sack and four passes defensed in the first three years of his NFL career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Defender Provides Details on Major Injury
