Friday, September 6

Ready for D to work: Linebacker T.J. Watt can't wait to take the field on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons after not playing at all in the preseason.

"Very excited," said Watt. "Had a great camp. Feels like it's been forever. Not playing in preseason makes the camp feel even longer, and I'm just excited to get out there against another team and see everybody go to work."

Watt is anxious to see what the defense is going to look like, especially with the new additions that include linebacker Patrick Queen and the speed he brings to the unit.

"It's definitely noticeable," said Watt. "Just the amount of guys being able to fly and always in the backfield, I think P. Queen is a big addition to that. Some of the guys in the defensive line interior have been playing really well too. I mean, Montravius Adams had a hell of a preseason.

"It's not like we really lost size with the speed. And that's always crucial. So, I think we're going to be a very physical team, but also a very quick sideline to sideline defense."

The speed is one difference the defense will have this year, but Watt said overall it's too soon to gauge how different the defense will be overall.

"It's way too early to tell right now," said Watt. "We're having a lot of fun. We have a good mix of young and old. It seems like every year I'm saying we have young and old, but that's truly the case.

"We have a lot of guys that have come from other teams as well through free agency. So, they've had a lot of good input for us, and they've also learned the Steelers way as well. So, it's been a good meshing and I'm just excited to see how we perform on Sunday."

It all gets real now: Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson has gone through a laundry list of firsts since he was drafted by the Steelers in the third round this year.

But this week will be the biggest first of all.

His first regular season NFL game.

And he notices a difference

"Definitely see it," said Wilson. "I feel like at camp, we were kind of playing football with no consequences, just fly around, try to make as many plays as you can. You bust an assignment, there's no consequence.

"But we're getting ready for the real thing. Everything has to be polished. Everything has to be perfect. The execution piece of it has changed people's focus.

"It's really cool to see some of the vets in here, the way they prepare. Minkah (Fitzpatrick), Cam (Heyward), T.J. Watt, E-Rob (Elandon Roberts) and PQ (Patrick Queen), just seeing the time and preparation that they put in for Sunday to be who they are."

Wilson has been a sponge since he was drafted, always trying to learn from the veterans. This week he has kicked it up a notch.

"For me, a lot of it comes from Minkah," said Wilson. "I've only been up here for two or three months now, but he's one of the best professionals I've ever seen in my life. Just the way he prepares, rehabs. Seeing how he worked this week on the off day.

"Just picking his mind on how he watches film, how he's breaking down film, what his off days look like."

And that right there is a snapshot of how Wilson is picking up on things, being at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on his off day, along with Fitzpatrick, to get the extra edge.

"He has his own schedule," said Wilson. "I asked him what it was to kind of model my schedule for that day and this whole week. I mean, he's All-Pro. What more can you be? What more can you do? Just trying to be the best in the world. And I feel like that's one way to get an edge."

The one thing that really inspires Wilson is how open Fitzpatrick and the other veterans are with the rookies and young players, wanting to help them be the best they can be.

"We have an amazing locker room," said Wilson. "All these guys do whatever they can to help. Guys the stature of T.J. will give a shirt off their back to help a rookie in here, which is very special. This locker room is very special. And so is this team."

And that's why Wilson wants to give everything on Sunday, and every day to the team. He knows the butterflies will be there, but that's a good thing for him.

"No matter who I'm playing, what level it's been, I've always got that nervous-excited feeling before the first game," said Wilson. "It's just the want to play well. It's the want to not let my team down. That's the biggest thing for me, just going out there and playing hard, executing and sacrificing my body for my team. That's what I want the most."

Happy for their captain: There is a lot of happiness in the Steelers locker room this week after defensive tackle Cameron Heyward signed a new three-year contract, keeping him with the Steelers through the 2026 season.

One of the players who couldn't stop smiling as he talked about it with fellow defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk.

"It's great to see," said Loudermilk. "He's one of the better guys that I know. He is fully deserving of everything he got.

"It will be good to ball out with him this year. Congrats to him on that. Definitely deserving."

Loudermilk, whose locker is just a few down from Heyward's locker, has relied heavily on Heyward since he was drafted in 2021.

"He has helped me a ton," said Loudermilk. "Ever since I got here, he's helped me see things better, play better. Going into my fourth year, I am grateful I have been around him for so long, picking up certain things from the game and things that aren't part of the game, just being a man."

Defensive end Larry Ogunjobi is pumped for Heyward, happy to see the leader of the line and one of the leaders of the defense get his due.

"That is my guy," said Ogunjobi. "As long as he is happy, taken care of. He deserves it. You want to see guys like that taken care of."

Heyward has heard it all this offseason from every 'expert' and critic out there.

The doubters are plentiful, questioning if the 35-year-old Heyward can have a strong season after missing time in 2023 with a groin injury.

Heyward doesn't let it bother him.

Instead, it motivates him.

"He likes to bet on himself," said Ogunjobi. "He plays for something bigger than himself, so he is excited to get back out there."

Learning tricks of the trade: Throughout the offseason, and now into the season, Steelers rookies have taken part in a wide variety of classes, exercises and life skills lessons to help them not just adapt to the NFL, but also being away from 'college life.'

One such lesson took place on Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, when representatives from the Neighborhood Ford Store, one of the Steelers partners, were on hand, along with representatives from Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), to share some road safety and assistance tips.

CCAC's Bob Koch, the Department Chair, Skilled Trades and Professor, Automotive Ford ASSET Program, led the session, teaching the players skills such as how to change a tire, from start to finish, changing windshield wipers and how to properly use jumper cables.

Linebacker Payton Wilson seemed like a natural at it, jumping right into the mix and asking questions that made you realize he has been there, done that before.

"My dad made sure I knew essential stuff growing up, made me do these kinds of things growing up in case of an emergency," said Wilson. "I think it's important.

"I think we get kind of catered to sometimes, and we don't always know what the real world is like. Credit to (Director of Player Development) Darrel Young for getting us out here doing it. A lot of people don't know how to do it. It's cool to have this skill."

The main message that was shared was all about safety, about doing everything by the book to keep yourself safe on the road. And while there are times when it is easier to let the professionals handle things, when emergencies arise the players can at least be prepared.

"My granddad is a mechanic, so I just take my car to my granddaddy," said defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr. "My dad knows how to fix cars, my uncle knows how to fix cars. My uncle actually works at the shop with my granddaddy. He owned his own shop for 30 or 40 years.

"I am six hours from home, so you never know what can happen. I like to drive instead of fly home. You never know what can happen. You can hit something and catch a flat, so this is very valuable to learn."

Coaching them up: The wide receiver group the Steelers will take with them to Atlanta for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Falcons has evolved, in part because of some prodding from head coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin spoke this week about a meeting with the wide receivers that was held back in training camp. Wide receiver Van Jefferson remembered.

"He came in during camp and just talked to us about what he thought about the receiver room, just telling us things he liked and things that we can improve upon," Jefferson recalled. "It was a transparent conversation that he wanted to have with us. We all took it like grown men and used that to get better.

"And obviously he was telling us things that we did good, too. That's how 'Coach Mike T.' is, he's very transparent, very honest. It was something that we all needed."

Tomlin acknowledged "some questions" about the position "even dating back to the spring.

"And to be quite honest with you, I probably went into the receiver room a couple weeks into camp and told them that," Tomlin continued.

Jefferson emphasized the receivers got the message.

"We just took it as 'get better,' whatever he said," Jefferson reported. "Just doing that and listening to what he says is always going to elevate you as a player. If you listen to it, it can either bring you down or bring you up.

"You just have to have a mentality of going out there and getting better so that's what we did."
Tomlin concurred. "The consistency with which guys performed in Latrobe and with team development has made me more comfortable, and specifically I'm talking about Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson," Tomlin said. "I just can't say enough about the consistency with which they've performed, their floor, if you will.

"They behave like veteran NFL players, and that's provided some comfort in the midst of the transition that comes with dealing with new people and getting acclimated in that way."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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Thursday, September 5

Every week is big: Linebacker Elandon Roberts knows the importance of coming out of the gate strong in Week 1 of the season.

But he is also well aware that every game following Week 1 is equally important.

"Week 1, Week 2, Week 3…every week is important," said Roberts. "This is a competitive league. The best of the best. So, no week is bigger than another.

"With this being Week 1, it's very important because it's the start to the season. Everything you did way back since OTAs and stuff like that. It's going to be a 60-minute game, a fun environment to be in on the road. The goal is to come out victorious."

While Roberts weighs each game equally, there still is something about Week 1 that gets the juices flowing a little bit more and has everyone feeling the energy.

"I think everybody is just excited about Week 1," said Roberts. "You get ready for the game to show the world what the team is about. I think it's exciting. Every year it's the anxiety. I am going into year nine, but it's still anxiety about Week 1 with the unknowns and stuff like that.

"I think Sunday is going to be a lot of fun.

"Everything that we're about, we've got to put it on display. Everybody can sit in front of cameras and talk about we need to do this, we need to do that, we need to not do this, we do not do that. But until you put it on the field, that's what counts. That's what we look to do."

Roberts, and everyone else in the Steelers locker room, is hoping Week 1 is the beginning of a journey to what they are all striving for – a Super Bowl win.

"That's the ultimate goal, to hold a Lombardi," said Roberts. "It just doesn't start with the 53 or the practice squad. It's with the coaches, it's all the way around the whole building, upstairs with our scouts, our GM, even from the kitchen staff. Everything matters when you're trying to win a Super Bowl.

"A lot of people don't look at the small things, but the small things matter."

A mix of emotions: Inside the Steelers locker room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex there is a lot of energy and excitement as the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons approaches.

But with that, comes other emotions as well.

The Falcons coaching staff has a whole new look this year under new head coach Rasheem Morris, leaving some question marks about what style of ball they will play.

And on the flip side, the Steelers roster has changed this offseason, as well as changes on the offensive coaching staff.

"The first game there is always a lot of anxiety," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "There's a lot of things that are going on, new staff, new players. It's more of a feel out process early on.

"You're almost guessing at this point. It has to speak to our preparation in the offseason, and we'll take it from there."

Heyward said with the 'guessing' feeling you have to make sure your technique is spot on.

"Rely on good technique. Play good assignment football early on and have fun doing it," said Heyward. "We have a good group of guys. We've got to have a good balance on offense, defense and special teams. But to overcome the anxiety and the stuff you don't know, do well with what you do know.

"I feel like my anxiety is so high every year in the first game. I think we always play somebody new that's got something new going on. I don't know why or if it's just me overthinking it.

"I think you just got to rely on your technique. You can overthink a lot of things, and it can get you into trouble. But rely on your technique. Play assignment, good football. I think that allows you to play better. It allows you to not think as much, because then you're not just waiting for someone to dictate terms. You're dictating terms. That's all I'm really worried about. I understand there's new nuances going on and new players, but we've got to play Steelers brand football."

A new beginning: Cornerback Donte Jackson will begin his seventh NFL season when the Steelers visit the Falcons on Sunday in Atlanta. But after six years in Carolina, Jackson is approaching the 2024 opener with a renewed excitement level he hasn't experienced in quite some time.

"I feel like a rookie again," he gushed. "I feel like it's my first real game ever. Being this is only my second team, being here throughout all this time, after having put in the work, going to Latrobe (for training camp) and doing all that you finally get a chance to just go out there and let it all fly.

"Sunday we have a great opportunity to go do something special."

In the event Jackson finds himself dealing with something resembling rookie jitters on Sunday, he anticipates he'll get over them sooner rather than later.

"When you have all these great players that we have on defense it shouldn't take too long," he maintained. "We trust the preparation. We get a crazy amount of information to go home with and just to digest. We just have a ton of confidence that the things that we do know and the things we do have a good feel about, we'll have a chance to knock it out and we'll get a chance to go make some plays on the ball and do stuff like that, give our team a chance to win."

New Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will challenge the Steelers' defense with 12 years of NFL experience gleaned with the Redskins and Vikings.

"He has everything above the neck, man," Jackson assessed. "He knows football. His knowledge is through the roof. Can't give him a bead on anything. Can't let him know what's going to happen. You can't fall into a rhythm of doing the same things on the same downs and stuff like that because he's the type of guy that will pick up on that.

"He's gonna get the ball out of his hands. He's gonna make the right plays. He's gonna make the right reads. Any opportunity you do get, he maybe makes a mistake, we just gotta capitalize on it. Guys like that, players like that who have played a lot of ball, played at a high level for a long time, they don't really make a whole lot of mistakes.

"We just gotta come in, do our job, play within the gameplan, trust the gameplan and just fly around."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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Wednesday, September 4

A one helmet guy: It was easy for Cameron Heyward to be in a good mood on Wednesday, not even 24 hours after he signed a new three-year contract that will keep him with the Steelers through the 2026 season.

Heyward made it clear all throughout the contract process that he wanted to remain with the Steelers, and finish out his career with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

"It's awesome in the sense that it's good to put to bed, but if I could sit here and tell you that's all I was thinking about, I'd be lying," said Heyward. "The goal is on the season, and that was just a piece of the puzzle, and now I have to put that to bed. I am excited to just worry about football, excited to just play good football.

"To get to a fourth contract is rare, and I understand that. But it doesn't happen without great coaching, Coach (John) Mitch(ell), Coach (Karl) Dunbar, and then having great teammates, especially in the D-line room, T.J. (Watt), Larry (Ogunjobi), Alex (Highsmith), Keeanu (Benton), Montravius (Adams), Isaiahh (Loudermilk). There's guys that are even there now, but I'm just thankful to work with them. Working out with Tyson Alualu every offseason. The work gets done in the offseason. I don't get here without them."

Heyward made the comment in the offseason of wanting to be a one helmet guy, and with his new contract it appears he has what he was looking for.

"That's all I could ask for, the chance to be a one helmet guy," said Heyward. "I got to play like it. But that's the way I've always viewed it. When I first got here, getting drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, I couldn't think about playing for another team. That's always been a goal of mine. When I told my mom in the car when I was on my way down here to sign, she was talking about how rare it is. You know, I think it's me and Cam Jordan left that are able to say that. It's really special to try to live that legacy in one place."

Heyward said he heard from some of his former teammates after he signed, guys like Brett Keisel who have always been there for him.

"Keisel is my guy, always the first one to text me. I'm always the first one to text him," said Heyward. "I heard from a lot of guys. I've always felt the love from them even before it was announced, when I would see them, they would say, Cam just keep doing what you're doing, we appreciate what you're doing. I hear that from them, that's just love. I do whatever I could to help those guys."

While Heyward looks at players like Keisel, Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and more as the ones who set the standard for him, he embraces now being the player to set the standard for the younger defensive linemen.

"I've gotten to see the cycle and seeing I am the bridge in that accord," said Heyward. "I want to conquer that mountain that the first part got to do. I've told (younger players) about things that have happened in the past, talked about what we've done and what I've experienced.

"When I was young, it was just about being a sponge and learning from those guys. It wasn't me saying anything, it was just me shutting up half the time. I'm in a different position now, but you can't do it alone.

"I've had a lot of great teachers. A lot of guys who led me along the way. Brett Keisel, Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton. To be in a leadership role, you don't shy away from that. You embrace it. You bring guys up to speed. You challenge guys. But you're always thinking of the greater good of the team. That's always what I thought about."

Ready for it: A year ago, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was preparing for his first NFL game.

That is all behind him as he heads into the 2024 season, getting ready to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

"Just all excited," said Porter. "Been through camp. It was long. So now we finally get to go against somebody else. I'm ready for it."

That 'somebody else' the defense will be facing is Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is entering his 13th year in the NFL and his first with Atlanta.

Cousins has seen it in all, having played in 150 games, starting 145 of them. And Porter knows they have to be ready for that.

"He's a savvy guy," said Porter. "He's been in the league for a long time. He knows different looks. We just got to get after him early and just keep playing our defense."

The Falcons coaching staff went through an overhaul this offseason, with new head coach Raheem Morris and coordinators on both sides of the ball, including offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who came to Atlanta from the Los Angeles Rams.

With the change comes some uncertainty of what the Falcons will throw at the defense, but Porter said they are doing their homework.

"It's a new offense. They've got new stuff, but we know their OC," said Porter. "We played against him last year with the Rams. So, we're trying to get a look from all different types of angles. Try to be ready as possible for this upcoming Sunday."

The one thing that stood out to Porter about the Rams offense is how they attack the defense, something he will be looking out for.

"They always try to attack their guys," said Porter. "Drake London is that guy over there. They're going to put him in different positions to get the ball to him early in a game. We just have to be ready with that communication. Just fly around."

Roll the film: Things get real for the Steelers this week when they open the season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, and offensive tackle Broderick Jones can't wait to get rolling.

"It's super exciting, just being able to still be here and continue to do what I love, what I've been doing all my life, which is play football," said Jones. "I'm ready to get out there and just put my best foot forward, show what I can do.

"Everything we've been working on here in the offseason, training and stuff, just being able to put that on display. It's just a huge blessing."

After preparing for more generic defenses in the preseason, Jones knows this week is going to be different as the Falcons' defense is going to be bringing everything at them.

What that is, though, is still something the Steelers are working on figuring out.

The Falcons have a new look to their coaching, with Head Coach Raheem Morris in his first season, after spending the last three years as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake is also in his first season with the Falcons, coming with Morris from the Rams.

Jones said they started to watch film on the Falcons on Wednesday, but the new coaching staff makes it interesting.

"We started on them today, breaking them down," said Jones. "They have a new coaching staff, so it's not too much. It's really still a guessing game at this point. Just watching old film of the culture of the Atlanta Falcons and the culture of the coaching staff, where they came from, what type of schemes they play, what type of schemes they run.

"Just being able to get back in that mode, being able to watch film and sit and study is good. I really haven't watched too much, just with all the changes they've had around there, but hopefully by the end of the week I get a better sense of it."

Facing a new coaching staff can potentially present a challenge for the Steelers, something Jones sees both sides of.

"It is, but it isn't at the same time because the coaching staff they have there now, there's a lot of people that that have been around the league," said Jones. "Just watching the film with their previous team, trying to get a sense of what they're trying to do, the problems they cause offenses and go from there."

One thing there is plenty of film to watch is the havoc outside linebacker Matthew Judon can cause for an offense. Judon, who has 66.5 career sacks, was traded from the Patriots to the Falcons in the offseason, and Jones knows he is a force to be reckoned with.

"It's a big test," said Jones of the nine-year veteran. "He's been around the league. He has an extensive resume. Me being able to show what I can do versus him, put my best foot forward and just hope for the best."

Getting to know you: Offensive lineman Spencer Anderson spent significant time between the end of last season and the start of this one watching hockey and, as it turned out, first getting to know Russell Wilson at PPG Paints Arena.

"I had gone to a lot of Penguins games in the offseason because I was bored," Anderson explained. "I got a text from him saying, 'Hey, I'm gonna be at the game.' I'm like, 'Did I read this correctly?'

"It was cool meeting him then and, obviously, when we got into the (UPMC Rooney Sports Complex) he was no different. He's a personable guy, a leader, real genuine. Obviously, he was named team captain, so his leadership speaks for itself."

Anderson, in retrospect, isn't surprised Wilson, a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback and a veteran of 12 NFL seasons, would show such interest in a second-year pro and former seventh-round draft pick upon joining the Steelers.

"Even some guys who aren't even here any more, I'm pretty sure they'd tell you the same thing," Anderson said. "He's been a guy who is personable, wants to know your background, wants to know your story. He's like that with everyone. It doesn't matter who you are, whether you're a nine-, 10-year guy, say Isaac (Seumalo) or so, or whether you're a rookie."

Anderson appeared in eight games and played two offensive snaps as a rookie last season. Now he's in line to replace Seumalo at left guard in Sunday's regular-season opener at Atlanta.

"I'm just leaning on my fundamentals," Anderson maintained. "I'm not going to do anything out of the ordinary I haven't already done. Obviously, it would be dumb for me to just go out there and start trying a bunch of new stuff.

"I'm going with what I know and going with what works for me and I'll have the result I want."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Practice squad update: The Steelers signed running back Aaron Shampklin to the practice squad.

Shampklin was with the team throughout the offseason and the preseason and was waived on the final roster cut.

Shampklin originally joined the Steelers when he signed a Reserve/Future contract at the end of the 2023 season. Prior to that he spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, and also spent part of the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys.

He played at Harvard where he was a two-time All-Ivy League selection, leading the league with a 92.8-yard rushing average per game in 2021. He finished his career with 402 carries for 2,251 yards and 23 touchdowns. He played in 29 games at Harvard, starting 19 of them.

The team also placed running back Boston Scott on the Practice Squad/Injured List.

Numbers game: Several players changed their numbers now that the 53-man roster is set.

Those who changed their numbers are:

Defensive back Beanie Bishop – No. 31

Defensive lineman Logan Lee – No. 91

In addition, numbers have been assigned to practice squad players.

The full roster can be found here: Steelers 2024 Roster

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Monday, September 2

Taking the lead: As Steelers players were gathered on the field at the end of practice on Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, you could hear them clapping.

Not just once, not twice, but four times as Coach Mike Tomlin announced each of the team captains for the 2024 season.

Three of them have been there, done that for the black and gold, with Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt the defensive captains, and Miles Killebrew the special teams captain. The other has a wealth of experience leading, but in his first season in the black and gold Russell Wilson was voted offensive captain.

"I'm just grateful to be a part of this team and whatever I can do to help lead and help us get to where we want to go, and that's to win another Lombardi," Wilson shared with me after practice. "To be around so many talented men, to be around such great leadership and great players, it's a tremendous honor."

Wilson is a captain for the 12th straight year in his career, serving as one for nine straight years in Seattle (2013-21) and two years in Denver (2022-23).

Heyward, who is in his 14th season, is a defensive captain for the 10th consecutive year, 2015-24.

"It's an honor to be selected, to represent a group of men," said Heyward. "But it's not just me walking around in front of a podium, it's listening to the guys, be an extension of them, and trying to represent them as much as possible."

Watt is a defensive captain for the fourth time in his career. Watt was also captain in 2020, 2022 and 2023. This is the third time Killebrew was selected as special teams captain, previously earning the honor in 2022 and 2023.

"I never take it for granted, not at all," said Watt. "Especially since it's something voted on by your peers, the guys that see all the work that everybody outside this building can't see. I'm very appreciative, but it just gives me more motivation to want to deliver for this team.

"Every year I get more and more comfortable being here. I'm just kind of calm, relaxed, and I'm very comfortable with my routines and trying to share as much knowledge as I possibly can to anyone who's willing to listen."

One player who is always listening to every word Watt says is second-year linebacker Nick Herbig, who has become a sponge. And Watt loves being able to share with him.

"Nick is so much fun because he reminds me a lot of myself," said Watt. "It also reminds me of my relationship with my oldest brother, J.J., when it comes to football. I just want to know everything he has to tell me. And I want to try to do the best of my ability.

"I've kind of been that person to Nick, and he's asked so many great questions. It's not like I'm forcing information on him. He wants the information, and he's actually applying it. It's so cool when we talk about a move and he goes out there in practice and does it and it's like, wow, we just talked about doing that. We have so many fun conversations that are also very constructive on the football field."

Killebrew has the same mindset as his teammates. He said hearing Tomlin say his name for the third time as a captain is something that touched him as much as the first time he was named captain.

"It's an honor. There's no other way to describe it," said Killebrew. "Definitely something I don't take for granted. To be voted for by my peers here in the locker room means a lot. I take great responsibility for it moving forward. I've got to be a huge support for my guys on team as well.

"When coach said my name, it felt just as exciting as the first time. I was completely thrilled and humbled. It's definitely a moment for me to step up and be what my teammates need me to be, which is someone who holds the standard."

Added motivation: Cameron Heyward has heard it all this offseason from every 'expert' and critic out there.

The doubters are plentiful, questioning if the 35-year-old Heyward can have a strong season after missing time in 2023 with a groin injury.

Heyward doesn't let it bother him.

Instead, it motivates him.

"Yep, there's plenty of motivation in that," said Heyward. "I've had to eat it and absorb it. Everybody's entitled to their opinion. But I want to make their opinion wrong.

"I just look forward to playing good football. I understand this is a fragile game, and you're not promised tomorrow, but I'm trying to maximize everything out of it. I'm going to approach it that way.

"I'm not going to run from it. I'm just going to run straight into it.

"It's their opinion, I can't try to make everybody happy. In my mind, I've got more to do and more to play for."

Heyward, who is entering his 14th season, does have more to play for. And it's one thing. A Super Bowl title.

"That's all I want in this game, to help the group and to get over the top and one day raise a Lombardi," said Heyward. "We've got to have complementary football…it can't just be offense, can't just be defense, can't just be special teams. It's going to take every part of this team to get it done.

"We're looking for complete games, especially in the playoffs. But first we've got to make sure we capitalize on getting to the playoffs. And you can't overlook that. It's a newer team, but the goal is to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl."

Anderson ready if needed: Steelers starting left guard Isaac Seumalo reportedly suffered a chest injury in practice last week.

If Seumalo is unable to play in the regular season opener Sunday at Atlanta, second-year player Spencer Anderson could be asked to fill in for him in what would be his first NFL start.

When the Steelers subbed Seumalo out of games in the preseason, Anderson was the player they used in his place. That meant a lot of extra time with the first-team offensive line in both games and practices, as the coaching staff was judicious regarding how much Seumalo played and practiced.

That time with the first unit was beneficial for Anderson.

"Absolutely. I'm prepared whatever way it goes," Anderson said Monday as the Steelers returned to practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "Obviously in the preseason I got some live bullets at it. We'll see what happens Sunday."

A seventh-round draft pick out of Maryland in 2023, Anderson played all five spots on the offensive line as a rookie, showing extreme versatility. But this year, he settled in at guard during the offseason and training camp. He can still, however, play tackle if needed.

"It's definitely something I'm prepared for because that's what I played all of camp," Anderson said of guard. "If something happens and I need to go to tackle, I'm prepared for that, too."

Making those kind of moves is nothing new to Anderson. He did it in college, playing tackle, guard and center, something that made him attractive to the Steelers in last year's draft.

But he didn't embrace it at first.

"When I was in college, we had a couple of injuries and my coach came to me and asked me to move from right tackle to guard, and I was like, 'Man, I'm a tackle,'" Anderson said. "And then I kind of liked it. There's less space inside. Everything happens faster. You go against equal athletes, not the speedy guys like T.J. (Watt) or (Nick) Herbig. I kind of didn't like it at first, but it was the best thing for me."

The Steelers already know they'll have at least one new starter on the offensive line at Atlanta, as rookie center Zach Frazier is atop the team's depth chart there.

Anderson would give the team two players making their first career starts if Seumalo is unable to play. There would be some initial excitement, but Anderson said that would quickly fade.

"Obviously it would be exciting, but then I have got to get my boots back on the ground and get to work," Anderson said. "We've got one goal coming on Sunday and that's to win. Obviously, I would be excited, but I would have to put that in the rearview and get to work."

— Blog entry by Dale Lolley

Making moves: The Steelers signed defensive back Ayo Oyelola to the practice squad as an international player.

Oyelola, who is from England, was signed as part of the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPP). The program was established in 2017 to help elite athletes from around the world earn a spot on an NFL roster. Teams are now permitted to have 17 players on the practice squad, if that includes an IPP player.

Oyelola originally signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 as a part of the IPP and spent time on the practice squad over the last two seasons. Oyelola also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.

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