Sadly: Mike Tomlin uncertain about the return of injured LB, says he wont be coming back soon.

This summer, the Steelers welcomed two new players to their inside linebacker room: they selected NC State’s Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and signed former Raven Patrick Queen via free agency.

This has led many to question whether Cole Holcomb, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last year, is actually further away from full recovery than anticipated.

On Tuesday, on the first day of organized team activities, head coach Mike Tomlin appeared to refute the notions of those who had even suggested that Holcomb might be cut.

According to Tomlin, via Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now, “He’s working to get back to us and doing a heck of a job of doing it.”

Prior to his injury, Holcomb, who inked a three-year, $18 million contract with Pittsburgh in the summer, performed admirably. The 27-year-old recorded 54 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed in eight games.

But on “Thursday Night Football,” during the Steelers’ Week 9 matchup with the Tennessee Titans, his bright season came to an end.

Friendly fire caused Holcomb to hyperextend his knee, which kept him out of action for the rest of the season.

When he will return to the field is currently the most important question.

While not providing a specific timetable, Tomlin expressed greater hope than the team had throughout the offseason.

Ahead of this year’s draft, general manager Omar Khan emphasized how serious the injury was.

Khan told reporters, “I don’t really have much to add on the timeline.” “We’ve discussed this, it was a major injury, but he is working hard.”

It appears that splitting up with Holcomb is not an option at this time. The attention now will be on when the sixth-year linebacker might make his first appearance on the field since November of last year.

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Cam Heyward’s absence from OTAs doesn’t bother Mike Tomlin or his Steelers teammates.

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Mike Tomlin was prepared, sensing the inquiry coming and moving quickly to diffuse any potential issue.

On the first day of structured team workouts, he tried to make the absence of his longtime defense captain a good thing.

“With him not here, it’s probably an easier day for me,” Tomlin remarked of Cameron Heyward. “I believe it helps to narrow down the lines for the positional drill and allows me to get to know some of the younger players.”

It was expected that Heyward will not be present at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday. In his video podcast “Not Just Football,” the seasoned defensive lineman acknowledged that he was missing OTAs, stating that “it’s just contract negotiations.”

Heyward, an NFL veteran of 14 years, turned 35 this month. Although he is about to reach the last year of his contract, he has stated that he would like to play several more seasons. Heyward has the second-highest pay on the team this season ($22.4 million salary-cap amount, or $16 million cash paid).

The Steelers are not overly concerned about a dependable veteran missing voluntary OTAs, even though there is a chance the matter may get controversial.

“To tell the truth, I’m not too worried,” Tomlin remarked. “Cam has amassed more than 10,000 career snaps.

“Knowing Cam well is a given. Over the years, we have experienced a great deal together. I speak with him frequently. We actually had two conversations yesterday. That is not a strange occurrence. It is our regular practice. We discuss not just his whereabouts and current situation, but also the status of this squad. He has to know that information because he is a leader.

This past winter, Heyward took home the coveted Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. Heyward, a three-time first-team All-Pro, had surgery-related groin injuries last season, which kept him out of six games. Heyward had not missed a game due to an injury before to then, dating back to 2016.

Heyward has been the oldest player on the Steelers for the last two seasons. However, Russell Wilson, the new starting quarterback, is around five months older.

“I’ve had a lot of time to play in the league. Wilson stated, “The truth is that Cam Heyward is prepared if anybody is.” He’s among the greatest in his position that has ever existed. Consider all of that, the dynamics of the family, and the entire process. Everyone understands that this is a business and goes through it, but if somebody has been here, even though they are not physically present, they are here in spirit with us.

We adore him because of that. We’re going to be there for him at all times. He will be prepared to leave. That much about him is known to us.