During his Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ran down a long list of injured players who he currently considers as being day-to-day for the team’s 2016 regular season opener against the Washington Redskins. Two of those players listed by Tomlin were defensive lineman Cameron Heyward and Javon Hargrave and based on a Wednesday report, it’s looking like both might just be ready to play Monday night.
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Heyward said Wednesday morning that he will practice again today and that he doesn’t see a reason why he won’t play Monday night. Heyward is currently dealing with a high ankle sprain that he suffered during the team’s third preseason game a few weeks ago.
As for Hargrave, this year’s third round draft pick, he reportedly said on Wednesday that he suffered a quad injury and not a knee injury during the team’s Monday practice. Hargrave added that he isn’t sure if he’ll practice today. He is, however, hopeful that he’ll be ready to play Monday night against the Redskins.
The Steelers first official injury report for this week won’t be released until Thursday evening so we’ll have to wait and see what it says as far the participation levels go for Heyward, Hargrave as well as the other players who are sure to be included on it. Should either of those Steelers players ultimately wind up not being able to play Monday night, it could result in second-year defensive end L.T. Walton receiving a helmet for that game.
