Activated from injured reserve Wednesday, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers starting lineup Thursday night for their game against the Tennessee Titans.
Heyward hadn’t played since the season opener when he suffered a groin injury in the first half. He missed six games after the injury required surgery.
With Heyward returning, the Steelers de-activated a pair of defensive linemen: Armon Watts and Breiden Fehoko. Watts had been part of the defensive line rotation in Heyward’s absence. He had a half sack and two quarterback hits Sunday in the Steelers’ 20-10 loss to Jacksonville.
Cornerback Levi Wallace was active after missing the game Sunday with a foot injury. He was available to back up rookie Joey Porter Jr., who made his first NFL start against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Mike Tomlin said Porter, the team’s first pick of the second round, had done enough to continue starting at the left outside cornerback spot.
Also inactive for the Steelers were free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and tackle Dylan Cook. Fitzpatrick suffered a hamstring injury on the second defensive series Sunday and could miss multiple games. Tomlin ruled out Fitzpatrick from playing Monday at his weekly press conference.
Mason Rudolph again will serve as the No. 3 quarterback for the Steelers.
Inactive for the Titans are quarterback Ryan Tannehill, cornerback Roger McCreary, wide receiver Colton Dowell, defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson, outside linebacker Caleb Murphy and tackle Chris Hubbard.
