97 Cameron Heyward DE

Heyward had three tackles (one solo) including a sack in Sunday's win over the Browns.

All three tackles came in the first half, but the Steelers should feel good about his performance after he missed nine games last season due to a pectoral injury. Remaining healthy and on the field should bolster a revitalized defense that recorded seven sacks.

Heyward (pectoral) is listed as the starting left defensive end ahead of this week's preseason matchup with the Falcons, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Heyward has been dealing with a pectoral injury that has kept him out since November of last year, but in being listed as a starter two days ahead of the team's second preseason bout, it looks as though he is ready to make his return. The Steelers will likely remain cautious with Heyward to make sure he is healthy for the start of the regular season.

Heyward (chest) is on track to be ready for the regular season, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heyward suffered a pectoral injury in November of last season that was expected to require a six-month recovery timeline. The team is opting to exercise caution with the veteran, as it has avoided placing him in full offensive and defensive drills in the offseason program. Although the Steelers are not showing a sense of urgency to fully implement him their organized team activities, he is on track for a healthy start to the 2017 season. The 28-year-old tallied three sacks in seven games prior to the injury last season.

Heyward (pectoral) is facing a six-month recovery for his injury, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heyward, arguably the Steelers' best defensive player up front, was placed on injured reserve Saturday. His six-month recovery time places his expected return near the beginning of 2017's training camp. In the meantime, look for Ricardo Mathews to take over for Heyward at defensive end in Pittsburgh 3-4 scheme.

Heyward (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, NFL.com reports.

Heyward, the Steelers' 2011 first-rounder, hadn't missed a single game in his career prior to skipping Week 6 with a hamstring injury. Now he's set to miss the remainder of the season with a pectoral issue, finishing the campaign with a team-high three sacks.