Steelers Rumors: What's the latest on Cam Heyward's injury?
The Pittsburgh Steelers won their final preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. The Steelers impressive training camp is finally over, as this team is firing on all cylinders heading into an all-important regular season.
However, one notable player missing from Thursday night's thrashing of the Atlanta Falcons was starting defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who suffered a minor injury in camp. Mike Tomlin, known to rest his veterans when necessary in the preseason, gave Heyward the night off.
Heyward is considered day-to-day with his injury, and Tomlin did not specify as to what Cam is dealing with. However, he's expected to be ready to play Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. Heyward was one of five players not to dress for the team's final preseason game. Frankly, Heyward has little left to prove, as he's penciled into the starting lineup. Both Heyward and fellow starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were out, giving way to DeMarivn Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk. Both interior defensive linemen played well when given more snaps, which is a good sign for a Pittsburgh defensive line that ought to rotate new players in early and often, especially considering Heyward's age.
Pittsburgh has 17 days off after boasting their defensive line depth against a lineup of mostly backups in Atlanta. Arthur Smith didn't see the need to play his starters in what he considered a relatively meaningless game for those who already clinced a roster spot.
Steelers Rumors: Is Kendrick Green toast?
Kendrick Green hasn't received many consistent snaps this training camp, and when he has they have been at different positions, seemingly testing their depth at various spots across the offensive line. The former third-round pick played some right guard on Thursday night, though it seems unlikely Green makes the roster in that regard.
A former center, tackle and now guard, Green hasn't really found a consistent home across the Pittsburgh offensive line. This makes him a potential trade candidate if the Steelers are comfortable with their depth, which Tomlin seems to be at the center position.
"We're really comfortable with the number of candidates we have," Tomlin said to Steelers.com. "We've got some guys with real NFL experience there. Nate Herbig has been a guy who's played center at this level. Kendrick Green is a guy who has been a starting center at this level. We've got a couple of other guys who are center-capable. Ryan McCollum is center-capable. Spencer Anderson is center-capable, and so we've probably got more depth in terms of guys who are capable and also more depth with guys with experience than I can recall."
Green played mostly guard in college at Illinois, so perhaps the Steelers were hoping that a call back to his collegiate playing days would help matters. He was inactive for every game last season after losing the left guard job to Kevin Dotson last training camp.
Pittsburgh tried to give their former draft pick a chance this preseason, but he's consistently underwhelmed as compared to his competition. If the Steelers are wise, Omar Khan will try to trade Green's potential for a late-round pick while he still has the chance.
Steelers rumors: Another trade chip looming?
Pittsburgh's abundance of defensive line depth is both a blessing and a curse. The good news is that the Steelers will be prepared for any injury along their defensive front. The bad news is that they'll likely have to lose a player worthy of making the 53-man roster in favor of depth at other positions of need.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin admitted as much earlier this week. "I think at the end of the day, we know that we may lose a guy that can play in the NFL."
That sure sounds like a trade is brewing in Omar Khan's office. As is the case with any NFL team, Khan will take calls when training camp ends seeing if he can receive a draft pick or two for his spare parts. Winning the line of scrimmage is key for any team, and defensive line depth is hard to find. Pittsburgh is lucky to have plenty of it. They just hope it doesn't come back to haunt them.
Who might those players be who are eventually dealt, however? Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton and DeMarvin Leal are likely off limits this year. However, depth players like Montravis Adams, Breiden Fehoko, Isiahh Loudermilk and Armon Watts could be on the chopping block, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot.
Trade chatter is certainly something to watch for as Steelers camp comes to a close. Teams have until Aug. 29 to finalize their 53-man roster.
