Defensive end Cameron Heyward made it clear following the Saints game, a game in which he sustained a right ankle injury, that he would be ready when the Steelers open the regular season on Sept. 12 against the Washington Redskins.
And two days later, he didn't back down on that promise.
"I will be ready by Week 1," said Heyward before practice on Sunday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "That is about it."
Heyward joked that he has great healing powers, but even more than that there is a drive in him that won't keep him sidelined against the Redskins.
"That is me. I've got superhuman like abilities," joked Heyward. "I take pride in not missing games. It's Week 1. I am going to be there.
"We have a preseason game coming up right now. I would be out for this week. But I think we have a lot of time and it works in our favor that we play on Monday. I am going to use that to my advantage. From where I was after the game until now, I should be ready for the game."
Heyward was injured in the second quarter against the Saints, but stayed in for one more play even after the injury happened.
"I was going down the line and the guy hit me in my ankle," said Heyward. "That was about it. I played the next play. I had some guys tell me to sit down and relax. I should have not let the play keep going, not risk it any worse."
Heyward said despite being injured in a preseason game, he still sees the value of the preseason, but would be in favor of shortening it.
"I think they are very important," said Heyward. "It prepares you for the regular season. It allows younger guys to play. I really try to use this time to get ready for the season. I am not saying I am perfect in the preseason, but this is when you want to get out all of the kinks. You don't want your first game to be the first time you played against another team."
