The Pittsburgh Steelers, currently sitting at 1-1, will be facing the New England Patriots in Week 3. The Patriots will look to carry on their momentum from their last win over the Miami Dolphins, while the Steelers will aim to bounce back from last week’s loss against the Seattle Seahawks. But it’s not only the bounce back that the Steelers will have to worry about, as their defensive strategy also needs to be reconsidered before they face the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

In the last two games, the Steelers have allowed a total of 789 passing yards, fourth-worst in the NFL 2025 season. They have also allowed the opponents to score 30 points in the last two weeks. But it’s not only the stats that are making the Steelers struggle with their defense. Back-to-back injuries are also a cause of concern for the team. But the veteran Cam Heyward has a different take on this aspect of the defensive room. 

Talking about whether the injury is stopping the defense from unleashing its potential, Heyward made it clear that he isn’t looking for pity. “I don’t use it as a crutch or an excuse. I think everybody prepares in the training camp, you know, play, go out there. I think every team deals with this”

Pittsburgh’s defensive unit faces a significant injury wave that began before their Seahawks matchup. The team was already without CB Joey Porter Jr., S DeShon Elliott, DL Derrick Harmon, and LB Malik Harrison heading into the game.

The injury list expanded after facing Seattle, with Darius Slay, OLB Alex Highsmith, and DL Isaiah Loudermilk joining the wounded. Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon has been particularly affected, limited in practice for two consecutive days, and missing the first two games entirely.

Despite the depleted roster, veteran leader Cameron Heyward delivered a clear message to the remaining defensive players about expectations and accountability moving forward.

“Other guys have to step up,” Heyward said after admitting that he is going to miss IR Issiah Loudermilk. “We are definitely gonna miss him. It’s one of those things where I have always relied on him to be my eyes and ears”. By saying other guys have to step up, Heyward meant the depth of the Steelers’ defense. In Loudermilk’s absence, rookie Yahya Black has stepped in. Logan Lee, Daniel Ekuale, and DeMarvin Leal are expected to provide the depth the Steelers’ already thin defensive unit needs. 

Cam Heyward has a habit of not giving excuses 

This is not the first time Cam Heyward has denied injuries as the main cause of his unit’s decline. Back in 2024, the Steelers suffered a 34-17 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens due to a below-average performance of an injured defensive unit. Still, Heyward didn’t blame the injuries for the loss. “Injuries play a part, but the guys that went in have played before,” Heyward said. 

There was one more similar instance during the 2021 season when injuries hit the Steelers’ defensive unit hard. They missed two of their starting defensive linemen for nearly the entire season because of injuries, yet Hayward again had a similar response. “It’s not an excuse. Every man that signs up in that locker room to play football has a job to do, including myself. If we can’t get the job done, then we shouldn’t be here”. Heyward said. 

Heyward might not want the fans to pity his unit, considering the injuries, but they will have to deliver it against the Patriots. The Steelers are already down with their star players on the defensive line, and they will be dealing with the Patriots, who are sitting at 9th place with 334.5 total yards per game. Only time will tell whether the Steelers’ defense will roar against the Patriots or will be crushed under its own weight of injuries.