Steelers DE Cameron Heyward Out For Season With Torn Pectoral Muscle

Steelers DE Cameron Heyward announced Tuesday via his Instagram account that he’ll miss the remainder of the 2016 season with a torn pectoral muscle.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been in my corner this season. It pains me to say that I will not get to continue playing this season. My role will change as I can not play but it will not change the goals the team has set out. My support for this team will only grow and I look forward in watching this team grow and fight on. Hate being on the sideline but there is a greater plan taking place. My patience will be tested but I look forward to 2017. My hand will remain in the pile no matter what!”

The Steelers will likely place him on injured reserve in the coming days and sign someone to their roster.

Heyward, 27, is a former first-round pick of the Steelers back in 2011. He’s currently in the second year of his six-year, $59.2 million contract that included $15 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $3 million for the 2016 season.

This year, Cameron has appeared in seven games for the Steelers and recorded 21 tackles, three sacks, a fumble recovery and four pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 38 interior defender out of 120 qualifying players.