Steelers’ Cam Heyward Misses Practice Amid Contract Saga Before Season-Opener

Cam Heyward’s availability remains undetermined as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to open the 2025 regular season.

It’s unclear if Heyward will suit up when the Steelers play the New York Jets this Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The veteran defensive tackle sat out most of training camp while seeking a new contract following an All-Pro campaign.

Heyward practiced on Wednesday, but he missed Thursday’s session. Yet fans shouldn’t panic just yet, as the Steelers listed his absence as a resting veteran’s day on their injury report.

ESPM’s Brooke Pryor noted that Heyward also missed practice the Thursday before the 2022 and 2023 season’s opening games. However, he practiced the Thursday of Week 1 last year.

Heyward rebounded from a groin injury to register 71 tackles and eight sacks in 2024 after signing a restructured deal last offseason. The 36-year-old said earlier this month that he’s “looking to be valued” among the best at his position based on that production.

“I told them, when I have an All-Pro year, expect me to come back,” Heyward recalled. “… I think everybody kind of giggled a little bit. But in my head, I used it as motivation to go out and prove it.”

The seven-time Pro Bowler hasn’t dismissed sitting out regular-season games if he doesn’t receive a new deal, and he’s remained mum about his Week 1 plans.

“We’ll see,” Heyward said on his “Not Just Football” podcast earlier this week.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters he’s “certainly expecting” Heyward to play and has no concerns about the 14-year pro’s limited reps this summer. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is also preparing to have the captain on the field this Sunday.

“Absolutely,” Austin said Thursday when asked if he expects Heyward to play, via 93.7 The Fan. “He’s been practicing, so I’m anticipating him playing.”

Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Jets kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.

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