Heyward re-signed with the Steelers on a three-year deal Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward was entering the final year of his deal but will now be tied to the team through the 2026 season. While the 35-year-old is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career -- he recorded just 2.0 sacks -- he will look to return to his previous form during the upcoming campaign.

Heyward (groin) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

There were questions about whether Heyward would hold out of training camp as he continues to look for a new contract, but those were answered after he reported Thursday. The 13-year veteran also underwent offseason surgery to clean up his groin, and it now seems as if he's fully moved past the issue. Heyward is set to make a base salary of $16 million in 2024, and he's expected to remain one of the most impactful defensive linemen in the NFL.

Heyward (groin) plans to skip Steelers OTAs unless he receives a contract extension, Joe Rutter of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward is on track to earn $16 million in 2024, but he has no such assurances for after the upcoming season. He's coming off a down year in which he recorded just 2.0 sacks in 11 games, but he'll still probably be a plus starter for Pittsburgh in 2024 if he doesn't continue to hold out for a new contract.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that he expects Heyward (groin) to be a full participant by the start of training camp, Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward currently is recovering from a cleanup procedure undergone to address a groin/core injury, but Tomlin said he's "not anticipating it to be a factor by the time we get to training camp." The veteran defensive end managed to finish 2023 with 33 tackles (25 solo), two sacks and one pass breakup in 11 games, despite playing through a core-muscle injury for much of the season, so he could bounce back this year if he's simply healthier. Heyward tallied a combined 20.5 sacks across his previous two seasons.

Heyward underwent a cleanup surgery Tuesday to address a groin/core muscle injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward missed six consecutive games due to a groin injury this past season, but he was able to return to action Week 9 and played the rest of Pittsburgh's slate. However, the veteran pass rusher still seemed to be hampered by injury even while back in the lineup, as he finished with just two sacks across 11 appearances, after having previously logged back-to-back seasons with at least 10 sacks. He could be more effective when back to full health in 2024, the final season of his four-year deal with the Steelers.

Heyward was cleared by an independent neurologist Thursday and is no longer in the league's concussion protocols, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward suffered a concussion in Saturday's loss to the Colts, but he won't be forced to miss any time after making it through the league's five-step process in just a few days. He should be good to go against the Bengals in Week 16.

Heyward (concussion) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's injury report, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward was placed in concussion protocols following a Week 15 loss to the Colts, so it appears the veteran defensive lineman may be making a quick recovery. However, he still has multiple hurdles to clear before getting approval to suit up Saturday against the Bengals. If Heyward can ramp up his practice activity as the week progresses and get clearance from an independent neurologist to play, he'll be able to suit up Week 16.

Heyward was placed in concussion protocol following Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when the issue may occurred, as Heyward was on the field deep into the fourth quarter. He tallied a total of five tackles and one tackle for a loss, though his status for a Week 16 matchup against the Bengals is now in question.

Heyward recorded six tackles (five solo), including a sack, in Thursday's 21-18 loss to New England.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward matched his season high in tackles while also getting to quarterback Bailey Zappe, sacking him in the third quarter. The defensive end has compiled 25 tackles, including two sacks, over the seven games he's appeared in this season.

Heyward (groin) did not participate during practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward missed six games in a row due to a groin issue before returning for the last two games. However, he was still considered questionable heading into Sunday's 23-19 win against Green Bay, in which he played a season-high 37 defensive snaps. It appears the 34-year-old is still dealing with this groin injury, and he'll now have two more practices to increase his activity level before this Sunday's division matchup against the Browns.