The Pittsburgh Steelers shuffled the roster, waiving tackle Gareth Warren with an injury designation to make room for outside linebacker Kenny Willekes, signed earlier. Warren exited Week 2 of the preseason with a concussion evaluation after the loss to Tampa Bay. Warren went undrafted in 2024 out of Lindenwood and signed with the Steelers after rookie minicamp. The club then prepared for a preseason finale against Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Steelers got healthier in key spots: Alex Highsmith returned to practice after a groin issue, Cam Heyward came back to practice after a hold, and Jalen Ramsey was set to make his Steelers debut against the Panthers. The looming matchup with Carolina framed a busy week of evaluation and depth-building for Pittsburgh under coach Mike Tomlin.

Cameron Heyward returned to Pittsburgh’s practice field, but the hold-in isn’t over. With two years left on his current deal, Heyward is pushing for an amended contract that reflects the evolving defensive line market after a flurry of big offseason signings. He posted a standout All-Pro season in the first year of this deal, logging 36 tackles, eight sacks, and a career-best 11 passes defended, while signaling he’s prepared to sit out into the regular season if necessary to secure proper value.

Two of Heyward’s notable backers, Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, publicly urged Steelers ownership to get a deal done, underscoring the friction between roster value and cap realities. As Pittsburgh faces a regular season countdown, the clock ticks on negotiations that could reshape Heyward’s cap hit and ripple through the DL market. Heyward’s stance—being valued after a year like 2023—frames a broader national conversation about veteran leverage and housing elite defensive front talent in the salary era.

In this landscape, Heyward’s health and presence matter beyond Week 1. If a new contract isn’t in place, the Steelers must weigh the impact on their run defense, Watt’s edge rush pairing, and the long-term structure of the DL. The result could set a template for similar negotiations around the league, turning Heyward’s contract saga into a bellwether for substantial veteran extensions at premium non-quarterback positions.

With the season approaching, the Steelers aim to balance rewarding Heyward’s peak with sustainable cap health. The debate isn’t just about numbers; it’s about how teams value longevity, leadership, and on-field impact when the defensive line has shifted so dramatically in a single offseason.

The Dolphins face a plain truth: the cornerback group is far from anchored, and the August chatter about fixes isn’t hiding the depth gap. With Ramsay’s status in flux and no single alpha to pair with him, the Shortsighted fix-it attempts (Howard signing, Kohou’s emergence, Dantzler’s low-profile swing) shape the early-season plan. McDaniel’s upbeat tone contrasts with scouts’ blunt verdicts about the current CB room, highlighting a path where development and depth must carry the load for a big-play offense from the edge.

Key names surface as potential difference-makers: Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard at the top of the depth chart, then Kohou and Storm Duck in the mix, with Cameron Dantzler added as a long-shot bet. The absence of a true lockdown guy means opponents will test the Dolphins in the pass game, especially early in the schedule with Josh Allen circling Buffalo and a draft-to-depth approach that relies on younger corners stepping up. The overarching theme: there’s clay to mold, but the ceiling depends on how quickly the depth comes together under pressure.

Pittsburgh’s Week 1 defense is reimagined around six new starters, with Loudermilk stepping in for Heyward as the anchor up front and a reshaped secondary led by Ramsey, Slay and Thornhill. Watt and Highsmith form the edge duo, while Queen and Wilson patrol the middle, complemented by a retooled back end featuring Porter Jr. and Thornhill. The unit leans on speed and versatility to pressure Zach Wilson and throttle the Jets’ passing game from the start, keeping the scoring ceiling high for fantasy defenses.

The secondary’s youth comes with upside and risk, as Slay, Ramsey and Porter Jr. bring playmaking and length, but their cohesion will be tested early. Thornhill provides range at free safety alongside Elliott at deep safety, creating a flexible, hybrid look on nickel. On the defensive line, Harmon’s debut in the rotation, Benton’s interior presence, and Loudermilk’s length inject disruption behind an upgraded linebacking corps. This group projects as a solid Week 1 fantasy play with a real chance for sacks, turnovers and a stout run stop.

From a fantasy perspective, Week 1 figures to be a grind-the-stats matchup for the Jets, with Pittsburgh's revamped front seven and savvy defensive backs posing frequent challenges. The Steelers’ mix of veteran leadership and youthful athleticism offers a high floor for tackles and a ceiling for big plays, especially with Watt and Highsmith teeing off. The new-look secondary can generate interceptions and pass deflections, heightening fantasy upside in a low-scoring affair.