November 23, 2024

Steelers’ DeMarvin Leal Learned Deeper Football From T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward While on IR

TJ Watt #TJWatt

© Provided by All Steelers on FanNation

Watching from the sideline allowed two Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pros to teach rookie DeMarvin Leal.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie DeMarvin Leal has spent the last four weeks on injured reserve while recovering from meniscus surgery he had last month. 

During that time, he’s watched the defense try to overcome some of the NFL’s best offenses and then got to watch the resurgence of the group once T.J. Watt stepped on the field. He watched three games without Watt, and one with him. And with both sides of the coin, he learned a different type of football. 

“What did you learn while on the sidelines?” All Steelers asked the rookie. 

“Seeing everything from a different perspective,” Leal said. “So when you’re talking to T.J. Watt or Cameron Heyward, and you ask them what things that they see, things that they go through, and you actually see it before the play happens, and you’re like ‘okay, I see it now.'”

Leal said his knee is nearing 100% and that he doesn’t have any expectations about if or when the team will activate him back to the 53-man roster. 

“I feel like they need to see me constantly go through my reps and not be tired and be able to ball out and be myself completely on the field,” Leal said. 

The Steelers now have 19 days to activate the rookie onto the roster. In his five games of action this season, he recorded nine tackles, including one for loss, and three pass deflections.

Find great deals on Steelers tickets from SI Tickets HERE

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

How Minkah Fitzpatrick Found Out About Appendicitis

Steelers Will Let Minkah Fitzpatrick Play Without Practicing

Don’t Get Stuck in Past With Steelers Offensive Line

Film Room: Defensive Takeaways From T.J. Watt’s First Game Back

Ryan Leaf Welcomes Kenny Pickett to Exclusive Rookie Club

Leave a Reply