Veteran Pittsburgh Steelers starters Cameron Heyward and Diontae Johnson did not finish Sunday’s season opener because of injury.
The Steelers’ oldest player at 34 and a longtime co-captain, Heyward suffered what the team described as a groin injury during the first half of Sunday’s 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Heyward twice left the field gingerly, and, at one point, retreated to the locker room. But each time he returned to the game he lasted only one snap before shutting it down again.
Before his second — and final — attempt at playing, Heyward was seen on the sidelines, getting down into a three-point stance and bursting forward. But after his one play back in the game, Heyward needed assistance from training personnel.
“A guy like Cam, it might take more than one guy to fill that role,” defensive co-captain T.J. Watt said, “but we need to find a way to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. We weren’t able to do that today.”
Heyward over the past month has missed plenty of practice time. This week, he was listed on the official injury report as sitting out Thursday and being limited Wednesday because of rest and a “stomach” injury.
Johnson suffered a hamstring injury at the end of a 26-yard reception — their second-longest gain of the game — on the Steelers’ first offensive snap of the second half. Johnson was quickly ruled out.
The only other player injured during the game who did not return was starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor, who exited during the final offensive.
“Probably in concussion protocol,” coach Mike Tomlin said after the game ended.
Two other Steelers players were forced out of Sunday’s game at one point because of injury but returned: tight end Pat Freiermuth (chest) and defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal.
“We will assess those things as we get ready for next week,” Tomlin said of the injuries.
Veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi played despite a foot injury that has hampered him for much of the past month. Ogunjobi was listed as questionable on the injury report Friday. He finished with two tackles.
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