Steelers News: Cam Heyward, Justin Gilbert, Javon Hargrave

Aug 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Steelers have cut their roster down they’re ready for the regular season to start.

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While the team prepares to take on Washington on Monday Night Football to kick of the 2016 regular season we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Sept. 6th.

I am the captain now

The Steelers have named their team captains for the 2016 season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is voted as offensive team captain for the eighth time in his career. Robert Golden is voted as the special teams captain for the third consecutive season.

For the defense the two team captains are William Gay and Cam Heyward. This is Gay’s and Heyward’s second consecutive year serving as team captains. Of all the guys I for some reason picture Heyward as the one who makes rookies address him as The Captain.

A whole new man

Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert participated in his first team practice on the South Side on Monday and swears he’s a changed man. The Steelers are sure hoping that he’s not the same guy who was late to meetings and was rumored to be more of a headache in Cleveland than Johnny Football.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has Gilbert’s comments on how he feels like a new man in his new city.

"“Just growing up off the field. It’s a lot of things that can distract you when you come in fresh out of college. After a year in the league, not getting done what I wanted to get done the first season, it changed me and made me a new man, for sure.” – Justin Gilbert"

I have a feeling that defensive leaders like captains Heyward and Gay along with the likes of James Harrison might just be able to show Gilbert a little something about professionalism in Pittsburgh.

You want the good news or the bad news?

It was an up and down day for rookie defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. On Monday morning he was named the starting nose tackle ahead of third-year tackle Daniel McCullers but by the afternoon things were looking a little down for Hargrave.

The PPG’s Ray Fittipaldo reports that Hargrave left practice early with a knee injury but it isn’t looking serious so far. He’ll have plenty of time to rest and recover since the Steelers don’t play until Monday night.

Next: Steelers players primed to take the next step

We’re officially in Week 1 folks. We made it. Let’s do this.

Here we go Steelers! Here we go!

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