97 Cameron Heyward DT

Heyward was inactive (coach's decision) for Sunday's win over the Browns, finishing the 2017 season with 45 tackles (30 solo), including 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 15 games.

Heyward showed no signs of the pectoral injury that cost him most of last season and he ended the 2017 campaign as the team's leading pass rusher. He had four games with multiple sacks, and his 12 sacks was a career high. Heyward is under contract until 2021 and should return next season to lead a revitalized Pittsburgh defense that recorded 56 sacks, the most of any team in the league.

Heyward (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns, Teresa Varley of Steelers.com reports.

The Steelers won't risk the health of their starting defensive lineman, as Heyward will be rested in Week 17 with the playoffs approaching. Leterrius Walton could draw the start across from Stephon Tuitt as a result, while Tyson Alualu may see additional snaps as well.

Heyward totaled four tackles (three solo) -- including two sacks -- in Monday's 34-6 win at Houston.

With 12 sacks entering their Week 17 game against the Browns, Heyward continues to have the best season of his career. The Pittsburgh defense compiled seven sacks against Houston, matching their total from the season opener against Cleveland.

Heyward had one tackle (solo) for a sack in Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss to New England on Sunday.

Heyward is averaging less than three tackles per game this season, but still leads the defense with 10 sacks. The first quarter sack of Tom Brady was Heyward's first since Week 11. He'll look to add to his total when Pittsburgh visits Houston — which has allowed 45 sacks this season — on Christmas Day.

Heyward recorded six tackles (three solo), including two sacks in Pittsburgh's 31-28 win over Green Bay Sunday night.

The defense had a lackluster first half, blowing two assignments on long touchdowns and failing to get any pressure on Green Bay quarterback Brett Hundley. The second half began just as poorly when Hundley hit Davante Adams for another long score, before the defense settled in, recording four sacks and holding Green Bay to just seven more points. Heyward now has a team-high nine sacks this season, eighth most on the league.