The Steelers (0-1) will do so against the Browns (1-0) without the services of two of their most impactful players on both sides of the ball.

The 34-year-old Heyward, whom Tomlin said will have surgery to repair his groin issue, will be missed for not only what he brings on the field, but off it while he’s out.

One of the team’s defensive captains along with Watt, Heyward’s presence on and off the field is something that won’t be replaced by just one player.

And it’s more than just replacing a player who has had double-digit sacks in each of the past two seasons.

“Replacing Cam is not a one-man job,” Tomlin said. “It is a multiple-man job and a coach’s job, because it changes your schematics when you lose significant players and so we all acknowledge that and we all run to that not away from that. That’s an opportunity for us to show what team is about things that we hold near and dear like ‘next man up.’

“Cam is not the type of guy that moves away from his teammates, whether he’s participating in or not. And so, you know, some of the intangible things, some of the things that you get day to day outside of the white lines. I will still receive the benefit of that but make no mistake. There’s enough for us to do replacing his tangible contributions, his play, his presence and so forth.”

That being said, the team’s three young defensive linemen, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal and rookie Keeanu Benton will obviously have more asked of them.

“I’ve been really impressed by the growth and development and what those guys have shown me throughout team development, not only Leal and Loudermilk but, but younger guys like Benton and others,” Tomlin said.

“I thought that was one of the strengths of our group coming out of team development, the depth and competition and the tough decisions that we had to make in the defensive line. And it won’t be a long period of time where we get a chance to call upon that and so we’ll get a chance to see what that debt looks like in play.”

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On Monday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward spoke out against a possible NFL rule that could make life even harder for defensive players.

Brian Flores is now a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals coaching job. Myles Garrett was injured during Pro Bowl games.

And the NHL is back after the All-Star break.

More for Flo’

Brian Flores, assistant defensive back for the Steelers, gets a second interview for the vacant position as head coach with the Arizona Cardinals.

So says Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

#Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores is expected to have a second interview with the #AZCardinals for their HC job on Wednesday, a source said. He’ll also be interviewing for the #Broncos DC job the day before – and is a top candidate for the #Vikings DC job.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2023

In addition to these possible openings, Flores was also a candidate for defensive coordinator positions with the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns. Both of these positions are now filled.

SI.com’s Albert Breer reports that Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are the other two remaining contenders in Arizona. He also says Arizona’s own defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, and Bengal’s offensive coordinator, Brian Callahan, have been eliminated from consideration.

go too far

It seems that the NFL is thinking hard about getting rid of the “hip drop” tackle. This method of tackling resulted in a broken leg for the Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard during a playoff game in San Francisco.

After Mahomes yesterday, another textbook mechanism for high ankle sprains for Tony Pollard. This one seems worse, additional concern for fracture. Hip drop tackle again – not always a “dirty” game, but a technique with a high risk of injury for the ball carrier pic.twitter.com/1Tl78OFkPo

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 23, 2023

Last week said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, said the technique could be eliminated. A hip drop is when the defender grabs the ball carrier from behind and then slides down the offensive player, dropping his body weight onto the ball carrier’s legs. This move has been banned by the National Rugby League in Australia.

Through ProFootballTalk.com, the NFL’s Competitions Committee is expected to consider new rules that would prevent this type of play, and Sills and the league’s medical staff would also be involved in those discussions.

Steelers defense attorney Cam Heyward waved the idea on Friday.

That’s so stupid. How the hell are we ever supposed to get boys on the floor. You think too much

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 4, 2023

Not only that, but when hip drop tackles become penalties, the weekly controversy over how many are being called and how inconsistent the calls are will lead to chaos.

More sport

• Tim Benz: We keep hearing about “volatility” in the Penguins’ performance – now it’s time to fix it
• Miles Boykin made a fit for the Steelers during Season 1, but will he be back for 2nd?
• Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Hockey just doesn’t know how to be cool

Garret is gone

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett suffered a dislocated toe while attending Sunday’s Pro Bowl games, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. X-rays came back negative. But Garrett hobbled off the field in Las Vegas.

Probably not what Cleveland wants to see. Myles Garrett hobbles away. pic.twitter.com/3lprj1kOpw

— Darren Carr (@DCarr75) February 5, 2023

Meanwhile, Jalen Ramsey landed on Tyreek Hill during the flag football game while trying to pull a flag on Davante Adams.

Jalen Ramsey decided to beat Stick @cheetah at the Flag Pro-Bowl pic.twitter.com/naC15a3G9m

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 5, 2023

Ramsey ended up getting a personal foul penalty.

Back in progress

When the NHL resumes play after the All-Star break, the Penguins won’t be part of the action. They won’t play again until Tuesday. Then the Colorado Avalanche visits the PPG Paints Arena.

However, some teams within the Metropolitan Division will start again on Monday. Third-placed New York Rangers (62 points) host Calgary at Madison Square Garden. The New Jersey Devils, currently second in the table with 68 points, welcome the Vancouver Canucks. And the New York Islanders (55 points) have to take on the Flyers (51 points) in Philadelphia.

The Penguins have 57 points, good for fifth place in the division and last place in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes lead the league with 76 points. They reached the All-Star break on a seven-game winning streak.

Tim Benz is a contributor to the Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.

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