Steelers' Tomlin expects Heyward to play, but says Harmon out - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Despite Cameron Heyward's limited participation throughout training camp and the preseason amid a prolonged fight for a renegotiated contract, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin anticipates that his four-time All-Pro defensive lineman will play in Sunday's season opener against the New York Jets.

«I'm certainly expecting Cam to play,» Tomlin said in his weekly news conference Tuesday. «Cam doesn't play a lot in team development over the last several years. My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I've done my job. And so, there are no reservations about his participation or his readiness. I'm sure he's champing at the bit.»

Tomlin, however, added that the team won't have first-round defensive lineman Derrick Harmon available in Week 1 after the rookie sustained an MCL sprain against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale. Though the injury initially looked serious as Harmon was taken back to the locker room on a cart, it appears he avoided a worst-case scenario, and the Steelers elected not to place him on short-term IR.

Tomlin also added that linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game.

While Tomlin was confident that Heyward would be on the field against the Jets, Heyward, who is set to enter his 15th season with the team, was less committal. Speaking on the Tuesday episode of his podcast «Not Just Football,» Heyward said, «We'll see,» when asked by co-host Hayden Walsh if the defensive captain would be on the field Week 1. Walsh also asked Heyward if there were any updates about the contract.

«Nope,» the 36-year-old said. «Nothing to talk about.»

Heyward began a brief hold-in at the end of the Steelers' training camp as he grew frustrated about the state of