Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Hours after defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said he fully expects Cam Heyward to play this Sunday in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season opener against the New York Jets, in part because Heyward has been practicing with the team, Heyward was not spotted in individual drills on Thursday.
Heyward had been participating in those same drills on Wednesday. The reason for his absence is not immediately clear. Veterans routinely get days off from practice. The Steelers will clarify Heyward’s status with their injury report later on Thursday afternoon.
Elsewhere on the defensive front, linebacker Malik Harrison was working with the team’s outside linebackers on Thursday for the first time this season. Harrison has previously played outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.
That could be seen as a hedge against participation for Nick Herbig, who is questionable with a hamstring injury, though Herbig was a limited participant on Wednesday and was again doing drills on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sights & Sounds: Heyward Not in Drills, New Role for Harrison
