Pittsburgh Steelers Star Missed Tuesday's Practice With Illness
Yesterday at 06:26 PM
Cam Heyward remains under the weather entering the NFL playoffs.
After missing six games with a groin injury last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive tackle returned to record 71 tackles and eight sacks in his 14th season. He broke up three passes in Saturday's 19-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
During his post-game press conference, Heyward said he contracted the flu on Friday night. The 35-year-old remains bothered by the illness, as he sat out Tuesday's practice.
Heyward continued to fortify a Steelers defense that ranked sixth in rushing defense this season. They allowed 20.4 points per game, which ranks right above the Ravens at eighth.
The three-time All-Pro has missed just eight games in the last eight seasons despite his 2023 absence. Heyward didn't sit after catching the flu despite Baltimore clinching the division earlier that day. As a result, it's hard to imagine him missing a playoff encounter after getting some rest.
Pittsburgh will need a healthy Heyward to handle a prolific Ravens offense that tallied an NFL-leading 424.9 yards per game this season. Derrick Henry fueled a formidable ground game with an AFC-high 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during his first season in Baltimore.
The bitter AFC North rivals will meet in the postseason for the first time in a decade. Heyward will seek a better result than that 30-17 Wild Card loss.
The Steelers limited the Ravens to 329 total yards in an 18-16 home victory on Nov. 17. However, the Ravens earned revenge when running for 220 yards in a Week 16 triumph.
Pittsburgh looked like a legitimate contender when improving to 10-3, but Mike Tomlin's squad ended the regular season with four straight losses. Heyward nevertheless remains confident in his team.
"Nobody is gonna make it easy for us, but I like us versus anybody," Heyward said on Saturday. "You can say I'm blowing smoke, but I do. I like the group."
The Steelers and Ravens will clash this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Related: Lamar Jackson Doesn't Hold Back On Forecast For Saturday's Playoff Game
