Steelers defensive line corps confident it can fill void after Cameron Heyward injury

Through a combination of retirements and free-agent departures, the Pittsburgh Steelers have turned over the vast majority of their defensive line in recent years.

Now that the last man standing from the position group from as recently as 28 months ago — Cameron Heyward — won’t be playing for the immediate future, a new core of Steelers defensive linemen will get its chance.

“Next generation up,” DeMarvin Leal said.

Heyward is expected to miss several weeks because of a groin injury suffered during Sunday’s season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers. With the likes of Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley and others long gone, a fresh group of defensive tackles will get more of a chance to show their abilities as the franchise’s newest edition of a steel curtain.

“The whole D-line is going to have to step up,” Isaiahh Loudermilk said. “It’s not just one guy. Multiple guys will get more reps now. It’s definitely on all of us now.”

Isaiahh Loudermilk on he and the other d-linemen being able to team to replace Cam Heyward pic.twitter.com/mR3zKQNBQQ

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 13, 2023

Loudermilk was the first defensive linemen selected in the mid-to-high rounds of consecutive drafts by the Steelers. He was a fifth-round pick in 2021, followed by DeMarvin Leal in the third round the next year and Keeanu Benton in Round 2 this past spring.

The three youngsters supplement veterans Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams and Armon Watts as defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, with Breiden Fehoko likely to be summoned from the practice squad for additional reinforcement before Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Heyward has paired with outside linebacker T.J. Watt (along with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick) as probably the most indispensable players on the Steelers defense in recent years. Heyward going down in Week 1 was reminiscent of Watt suffering a torn pectoral muscle in last year’s opener that kept him out for seven games.

“It is kind of a deja vu feeling,” Loudermilk said. “But I know we’ll be able to handle it pretty well because I feel like last year guys were able to step up.”

DeMarvin Leal on the loss of Cam Heyward and the DL corps rallying to make up for it pic.twitter.com/YmlRZ5l3rV

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 13, 2023

Adams began the season atop the depth chart at nose tackle but — like most in his position room — has versatility to line up at various spots on the D-line. Ogunjobi is hindered by a foot injury but played 63% of the snaps against the 49ers and will continue to be leaned on.

Leal himself suffered a triceps injury Sunday that kept him out of the game for a stretch. On Wednesday, though, he pronounced himself healthy. That’s good for the Steelers, who will need to lean on the athleticism and versatility he showed as a rookie.

The 49th overall pick out of Wisconsin, Benton was expected to contribute immediately because of his strength, Big Ten pedigree and fit in the Steelers’ scheme. With Heyward out, Benton is no longer a luxury but someone the defense is depending on.

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“You don’t usually draft linemen in a high round unless you are gonna get some playing time, so I expected some playing time,” Benton said. “I just didn’t know it was going to be this significant, this soon.”

The current situation with Heyward reminds Loudermilk of 2021, when as a rookie he was a gameday inactive for the Steelers’ first game but ascended to a more prominent role the rest of the season after Alualu suffered a fractured ankle in Week 1.

After a marginal slide down the depth chart last season, Loudermilk had a strong training camp and could see the biggest boost in playing time without Heyward.

“I feel pretty confident in whatever role I’m going to have coming up, and I think a lot of guys on the D-line think the same way,” he said. “It’s a big opportunity for a lot of us, and a lot of us put in a lot of work in the offseason.”

The 27-year-old Watts was signed as a free agent after starting 21 games and appearing in all 34 the past two seasons with Minnesota and Chicago. That’s quite the insurance policy the Steelers had in street clothes for their opener — a policy they likely will be cashing in for depth.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that when an opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to take advantage of it,” Watts said.

“Obviously, it hurts losing a guy like Cam with his leadership, what he brings to the table, his skill set. But, that’s part of reason why (management) kept seven (defensive linemen), because we are a deep room that’s talented. And I think we’ll step up to the plate and be all right.”

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