Steelers DT Cam Heyward returns to practice following groin injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed defensive tackle Cam Heyward back to practice on Thursday, despite his ongoing recovery from a groin injury he suffered in Week 1. The veteran is still on the injured reserve, however, the Steelers now have a 21-day window to return him to the active roster.

Over the next 21 days, Pittsburgh has games against the Jaguars, Titans and Packers. A return to the 53-man roster before the divisional matchup against the Browns on Nov. 19 would be big for the defensive line.

Heyward played only 14 defensive snaps during the Steelers’ season-opening 30-7 loss to the 49ers. He briefly tried to return but quickly left the game.

Despite his injury, Heyward was a defacto coach on the sidelines for his teammates through the last seven weeks.

“Cam is not the type of guy that moves away from his teammates whether he’s participating or not,” Mike Tomlin said during his press conference following Heyward’s injury. “Some of the intangible things, some of the things that you get day-to-day outside the white lines, we’ll still receive the benefit of that. But make no mistake, there’s enough for us to do replacing his tangible contributions, his play, his presence and so forth.”

Although he had to miss six weeks’ worth of games this year, Heyward has had a relatively healthy career with Pittsburgh. He last missed significant time during the 2016 season. He’s played in 184 games so far in his career with 149 starts.

Tomlin asks Steelers for consistency

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a simple request for his team this week and then explained it to the media for his weekly press conference.

“We just need to do routine things routinely at the early stages of games,” Tomlin told reporters.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But obviously, it’s not a simple request for the Steelers offense. Instead, the 4-2 Steelers are winning games because of late drama from Kenny Pickett and company.

According to Steelers.com, Pickett is completing 56.2 percent of his passes with a touchdown and three interceptions in the first quarters of the six Pittsburgh games. His passer rating is 45.8 in the first quarters.

Now, contrast that with the fourth quarters, when Pickett knows the stakes. In fourth quarters this season, Pickett is completing 73 percent of his passes. He’s got 374 yards, with a touchdown and a pick. His QB rating is 102.8.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this article.