Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward will have surgery Wednesday to repair an injured groin and will be out up to eight weeks, sources told the Post-Gazette.

Heyward, who is in his 13th season, injured his groin in the first quarter of the season-opening loss to the 49ers when he hit quarterback Brock Purdy and landed awkwardly. He twice tried to return to the game but lasted only one play each time.

For now, the Steelers will try to rely on their young defensive linemen — Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal and rookie Keeanu Benton — to replace Heyward.

The injury is a blow to the Steelers defense because Heyward, who turned 34 in May, is one of three players they can least afford to lose, along with outside linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Heyward had played every game the past two seasons and was coming off one of the best seasons of his career in 2022 when he posted 74 tackles and registered 10½ sacks.

Heyward’s absence will give opportunities to their defensive linemen who were drafted the past few years. The Steelers used a second-round pick on Benton in May, and he made his NFL debut against the 49ers. Leal, a third-round pick in 2022, and Loudermilk, a fifth-round pick in 2021, also figure to get more snaps, although Leal suffered a triceps injury in the 49ers game.

This is only the second major injury for Heyward during his 14-year career. In 2016, Heyward tore his pectoral muscle in November and had to miss the remainder of the season. The Steelers were 4-5 at the time he was injured, but they ripped off nine consecutive victories en route to the AFC championship game.