Cameron Heyward was back on the field Monday after he had left the previous Pittsburgh Steelers practice because of an apparent ankle injury.
Heyward left Thursday’s final practice session at Saint Vincent early during team periods and did not play in the preseason game two days later at the Jacksonville Jaguars. The All-Pro defensive linemen and team co-captain said the only reason he was held out was because he did not finish the previous practice.
“I just got stepped on,” Heyward said Monday after preseason camp headquarters was moved to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, “and we were just being precautionary (not playing against the Jaguars).”
Inside linebacker Devin Bush did not practice Monday because of an ankle injury. Coach Mike Tomlin also said reserve offensive lineman Joe Haeg, who did not play at Jacksonville, is in concussion protocol but could be close to returning.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (ribs) doesn’t know if he will make his preseason debut against Detroit, but he doesn’t plan to miss the Sept. 11 opener at Cincinnati.
“I should be ready,” he said.
Although Highsmith hasn’t practiced for several weeks, he has run sprints during practice.
“I’m trying to stay in shape,” Highsmith said. “That is what coach Tomlin preaches: Conditioning precedes all else. Even if I’m not practicing, I can stay in shape. I just continue to run and put myself in a place where I won’t have to be ready (to get in shape) when I’m officially back.”
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
