Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is very impressed to see one player back on the field.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb has come a long way since suffering a serious knee injury midway through the 2023 season. He saw his first NFL action since suffering the injury last weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars , and he played well.
That has earned him the attention and respect of his teammates, including long-time Steelers team captain Cameron Heyward.
"Cole flew around. To think about the injury he sustained just a year ago, and to watch him battle back and put in the work. Most guys would've retired by now, to be honest," Heyward said on the latest episode of "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward." "To see Cole out there, he looks better than ever. He's feeling more confident, more comfortable, and he's done it at a high level before."
It's been a long road to recovery for Holcomb, but he was determined to not let his injury be the end of his NFL career.
In fact, Holcomb was playing some of the best football of his career before he went down, recording 54 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed in eight games with the Steelers.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gets away from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb in a game at a Acrsiure Stadium on Oct. 8, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
That, unfortunately, came to a halt in that Thursday Night Football game during the 2023 season. However, Holcomb is now focused on returning as the same, if not better, impactful player.
"Been working hard to come back, and it's been a long road," Holcomb said . "I felt like I'm picking up where I left off."
Only time will tell if Holcomb will return as the same player, but early signs hint he's defying the odds to do just that.
A fifth-round pick by Washington in 2019, Holcomb has 442 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 passes defensed, three interceptions and one touchdown in his NFL career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers LB Earns Praise From Cam Heyward: 'Most Guys Would've Retired'
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