Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt got hurt in Week One of the season, having to go to IR where he stayed until after the bye week, missing seven games. So, Watt can relate to what DL Cameron Heyward is going through as he has been placed on IR after undergoing sports hernia surgery for a groin injury suffered last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Heyward is expected to miss nearly two months as he recovers, meaning that the defense will be without one of their captains and their leader along the defensive line. Still, Watt isn’t worried about taking on a greater leadership role in his absence, speaking to reporters that he has his role on the team and that the young guys in the defensive line room will be counted on to step up as their leader is on the mend.