PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' difficult season just got worse.
Defensive end Cameron Heyward (pectoral injury) said on his official Instagram account that he will miss the remainder of the 2016 season. A source said Heyward has a torn pectoral muscle that will likely require surgery. He suffered the injury in Sunday's 35-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The news about Heyward came shortly after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced that wide receiver Sammie Coates has been dealing with two broken fingers, which helps to explain his declining production.
Tomlin on Tuesday cited Coates' "broken fingers on his hand" limiting his ability as a wide receiver, and a source says Coates has fractured ring and index fingers on the same left hand, including tendon damage. He hurt the index finger in Week 5 against the New York Jets, and he fractured the ring finger in a later game.
Heyward, a team captain who signed a six-year, $59-million extension in 2015, played his first 85 career NFL games without injury issues. This year, he will miss nine games with a hamstring injury and now pectoral injury.
"I would like to thank everyone who has been in my corner this season," Heyward wrote on Instagram. "It pains me to say that I will not get to continue playing this season. My role will change as I cannot play but it will not change the goals the team has set out. My support for this team will only grow and I look forward in watching this team grow and fight on. Hate being on the sideline but there is a greater plan taking place. My patience will be tested but I look forward to 2017. My hand will remain in the pile no matter what!"
The Steelers were 22nd in the league in total defense (380.8 yards per game) with Heyward, who is considered a run-stopping stabilizer who can get pressure on the quarterback. Veteran Ricardo Mathews will likely start in Heyward's place.
Coates broke out with 421 yards and two touchdowns in his first five games, but he has four receiving yards in his past four games. Coates had zero catches on one target Sunday against Dallas.
With Coates' injury and veterans Darrius Heyward-Bey and Markus Wheaton (shoulder) still sidelined, Cobi Hamilton is getting first-team reps on the outside alongside Antonio Brown and slot receiver Eli Rogers.