Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward didn’t miss practice this week just because of rest. Heyward was a sudden addition to the team’s injury report because of an ankle issue.
Penn Live’s Nick Farabaugh reported Friday that Heyward “was spotted” in the team’s locker room wearing a boot. Entering the weekend, the Steelers had Heyward listed as questionable for Week 12.
But on Saturday, the Steelers removed the injury designation for Heyward. That means the defensive lineman will play Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
The Steelers made the same move with cornerback Darius Slay. The veteran defensive back missed Week 11 because of a concussion.
With the removal of those injury designations, the Steelers only have decisions to make on quarterback Aaron Rodgers and edge rusher Alex Highsmith for Sunday.
The team has Rodgers listed as questionable because of a fracture in his left wrist. Highsmith is doubtful due to a pectoral injury.
Cameron Heyward to Play in Week 12 for Steelers
Heyward didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. That didn’t appear to be major news, though, because the Steelers often rest veterans early in the practice week.
But Friday, Heyward was still limited. Then with Farabaugh’s report, there appeared to be doubt the defensive lineman would play versus the Bears.
Farabaugh argued during a radio appearance Friday that Rodgers actually had a better chance to play Sunday than Heyward.
Rodgers might still play, but Heyward is definitely going to dress. In 10 games this season, he has posted 41 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. Heyward also has six pass defenses, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
On November 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Heyward played in his 221st game for the Steelers. That moved him into second place all-time on the franchise’s games played list.
With 249 games, only Ben Roethlisberger has played in more contests than Heyward in Steelers history.
Slay will also be on the field Sunday. The cornerback practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday but was then limited Friday.
In his first season with Pittsburgh, Slay has been inconsistent during 2025. Overall, he has registered 35 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss. Slay also has three pass defenses and zero interceptions.
Former undrafted free agent James Pierre played very well in Slay’s place last week. Pierre returned a fumble for a touchdown.
But head coach Mike Tomlin clearly stated Slay would be the team’s starter when he returned.
Aaron Rodgers Still Questionable for Steelers
The update early Saturday on the Steelers quarterback was there was no update.
“The Steelers did not change the status of QB Aaron Rodgers, who is questionable,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted. “He still has a chance.”
That can be interpreted as being good or bad. While Rodgers isn’t healthy enough to lose his injury designation like Heyward and Slay, he could still play.
Rodgers suffered a fracture in his non-throwing wrist last Sunday against the Bengals. The veteran quarterback didn’t play at all in the second half.
Rodgers didn’t practice Wednesday but participated in limited fashion Thursday and Friday.
If Rodgers doesn’t dress, Mason Rudolph will start his first game for the Steelers since 2023. Rudolph is 3-0 in his last three starts with Pittsburgh.
Rookie Will Howard will be QB2 as well if Rodgers doesn’t play.
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