Steelers may not lose TJ Watt for remainder of season: report

After initial testing, it doesn’t look like the Pittsburgh Steelers will lose star defensive end TJ Watt for the season.

The Steelers are still subject to additional opinions, but the current belief is that Watt will land on injured reserve but will not be out for the season after suffering a pectoral injury on Sunday, the NFL Network reported.

Although Watt should run out of time, it would be good news for the Steelers not having to replace the reigning Defensive Player of the Year entirely.

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There’s no exact timeline for Watt’s return, but NFL Network noted it could happen before the end of October, which « depends on the healing process. »

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Watt immediately knew something had happened to his pec, running to the sideline with a limping left side and telling the coaching staff he tore it. An MRI was scheduled for Monday, and it was reported that Watt would get a second and third opinion on Tuesday regarding the injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ TJ Watt #90 recovers the ball and runs for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Watt had a sack and three tackles for the loss in what turned out to be a wild win for the Steelers over their division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals. Chris Boswell hammered the game-winning field goal from 53 yards in overtime after hitting one of the uprights on his previous attempt. An extra point block late in the fourth quarter by Minkah Fitzpatrick kept the Steelers’ hopes alive.

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The injury to their best defensive player made the victory bittersweet for head coach Mike Tomlin’s squad. But now, perhaps a sigh of relief will come when Watt’s official move comes later this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) follows a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, August 20, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. . Watt tied an NFL record with 22½ sacks last season on his way to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award.
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

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Watt won Defensive Player of the Year last season by totaling 22.5 sacks in 16 games to lead the NFL.