Defensive end Cam Heyward has a long road to recovery after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle against the Cowboys.
Team doctors have told him he'll need six months of rehabilitation before he can return to football activities. If that timetable is correct, Heyward might not practice again until the Steelers report to training camp next July.
"They say six months, but we'll see," said Heyward, who was back at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday for the first time since getting injured against Dallas 10 days ago.
Heyward was placed on injured reserve Saturday, but he plans to stay close to the team. He attended meetings and practice with the rest of his teammates Tuesday and plans to be a constant presence for the remainder of the season.
"I can't do what I want to do," Heyward said. "I can't be out there, but I'll be their biggest supporter. I'll be the biggest cheerleader for these guys. I want us to win games. I'm not going to wallow in my sorrows."
Heyward, the defensive captain, watched the 24-9 victory against Cleveland on television and was excited to see the defense respond after giving up 35 points the previous game against the Cowboys.
"I thought we did an awesome job," he said. "The eight sacks were huge, the disruption of the quarterback. ... Now we just have to keep improving. I challenge them to do it again this week. It needs to be repeated. I think we have blueprints of what we need to do. We just need to do it week in and week out."
