Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward to miss significant time after injury Sunday

Another Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl defensive lineman is set to miss significant time this season with an injury.

Just one year after Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt missed seven weeks of the season with a torn pectoral muscle, the team expects to be without defensive tackle Cam Heyward for the next eight weeks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Heyward led the Steelers with his 14 tackles for a loss in 2022 and was second with 10.5 sacks. He also led Pittsburgh in total tackles among defensive linemen with 74.

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Cam Heyward injury

Heyward injured his groin in the Steelers' opener against the 49ers on Sunday afternoon and will have surgery to repair it on Thursday.

Recovery time for a groin surgery depends on the severity of the strain and what muscles are involved, according to ATI Physical Therapy. Milder strains can heal in 4-6 weeks, but as recently as this February, Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson faced a 10-12 week recovery time after groin surgery.

With Heyward out for eight weeks, his active streak of six straight seasons with at least 15 starts will come to an end. His active streak of six straight Pro Bowl seasons is also at risk.

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Steelers injuries

Heyward is not the only player to be sidelined for weeks with a lower body injury.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported Tuesday morning that Pittsburgh wide receiver Diontae Johnson would be out for "a few weeks" after injuring his hamstring on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cam Heyward injury news: Steelers DT out 8 weeks with groin strain