Cameron Heyward Performed By means of Flu Towards Bengals

Cameron Heyward’s flu recreation didn’t go in addition to Michael Jordan’s. Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman did every thing he probably might to assist the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals, with three key go deflections, the Steelers misplaced 19-17 Saturday evening. Heyward revealed after the sport that he performed Pittsburgh’s regular-season finale at lower than full power.

“I’ve the flu. It began final evening, and simply been coping with it,” Heyward stated through the staff’s YouTube channel.

Heyward sounded hoarse throughout his press convention and was requested if he had a chilly earlier than telling the media that he’s been coping with the flu.

It’s extremely spectacular to have the ability to play a full recreation with the flu, however Week 18 was an necessary one for the Steelers because it pertains to playoff seeding. After the Baltimore Ravens received earlier immediately, a Steelers win would’ve locked up the No. 5 seed. Now the staff is liable to falling to the No. 6 seed and having to play the Ravens in Baltimore subsequent weekend. If the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Las Vegas Raiders tomorrow, the Steelers will head to Baltimore for his or her Wild Card Spherical playoff matchup.

Heyward was certainly one of Pittsburgh’s most impactful defenders tonight regardless of being unwell, and his enjoying immediately goes to point out simply how a lot successful and this staff imply to him. Heyward hasn’t skilled a lot postseason success in his Steelers tenure, and locking up the No. 5 seed would’ve made the trail to Pittsburgh’s first playoff victory since 2016 quite a bit simpler. However the Steelers couldn’t get the job completed regardless of Heyward’s finest efforts, because the offense struggled for many of the evening.

It wasn’t the top to the common season that Pittsburgh envisioned, and this can be a staff that now has numerous work to do to get proper forward of the playoffs. For Heyward, that’s going to incorporate getting wholesome, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he didn’t apply a lot within the early portion of subsequent week as he will get his physique prepared for the playoffs.

Heyward’s perseverance wasn’t rewarded tonight, however the Steelers will look to study from their struggles over their previous 4 video games and head into the postseason as a special staff than the one they’ve been for the final month.