97 Cameron Heyward DT

Heyward (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Heyward practiced fully Thursday and Friday, but it still wasn't enough for him to avoid an injury designation heading into the weekend. While it's possible Heyward may be playing hurt Sunday, there's no indication he'll see a drop in snaps as a result of the issue. The pass rusher was his usual productive self in the Steelers' season-opening tie with the Browns, finishing with seven tackles and a sack across 82 total snaps.

Heyward (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

The specifics of Heyward's injury are unclear, but it's possible the 29-year-old is getting a veteran's day off. His absence from practice presumably allows Leterrius Walton to work with the first-team defense.

Heyward recorded seven tackles (five solo) and one sack across 76 defensive snaps in Sunday's 21-21 tie with the Browns.

After notching 12 sacks last season, Heyward picked up right where he left off, registering a sack on Tyrod Taylor -- one of just seven on the day for the Pittsburgh defense. He'll now be tasked with containing Kareem Hunt and the rest of the Chiefs' electrifying offense this Sunday.

Heyward will not participate in Thursday's exhibition tilt against the Packers for rest purposes.

The Steelers are expected to rest several veterans Thusday, so there is no surprise that Heyward is one of them. The 29-year-old defensive end is entering his eighth season with the club and expected to start once again.

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.