How long will T.J. Watt be out after tearing pectoral muscle?
The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the surprise teams of Week 1 after beating Cincinnati, but lost the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to injury.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt was forced off the field after suffering a torn pectoral in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh’s heart of the defense will be out an extended time, but there might be good news despite the impending absence of the Steelers edge rusher.
Steelers win even after Watt goes down
With 16 seconds left in the Week 1 AFC North matchup against Cincinnati, the defensive end got to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow after barreling over offensive lineman La’el Collins and sacked the Cincy signal caller. Watt was slow to get up after sacking Burrow, and walked off the field telling the sideline he tore his pec.
Test confirmed Watt’s on field diagnosis, and to make matters worse the defensive end was flagged for illegal hands to the face which extended the Bengals drive allowing them to eventually tie the game up in the final second of the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh would go on to win the game in a dramatic overtime session, but the tension would continue until the Steelers found out the official diagnosis of Watt’s injury.
There were reports that Pittsburgh could be without their star defender for the entirety of the season if he needed surgery on his torn pectoral muscle. Reports out of the Steel City suggest Watt won’t need season ending surgery, and could return six weeks from now.
Tomlin encouraged of a speedy return
Before the news broke of a relatively quick return Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he was “encouraged” of the possibility of seeing his standout pass rusher back this season.
“We’re probably in a lot better place than we were after the game,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “I can definitively say that T.J. won’t play this week, but I won’t make any commitments beyond that.
“We’re encouraged, and we’ll just continue to look at the situation and gain opinions and do what’s appropriate.”
Watt tweeted a post assuring Pittsburgh fans that he would make a speedy recovery with a clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator.
Can defense carry Pittsburgh without Watt?
The news will certainly encourage Pittsburgh fans who received an encouraging outlook on the upcoming season after beating the defending AFC Champions in Week 1 after turning over Joe Burrow five times. Watt had one of the four Steelers interceptions on Sunday as the Pittsburgh held on to win in overtime.
Neither Tomlin or anyone else on the Steelers staff would disclose if Watt would be put on the injured reserve, which would keep him out for a minimum of four weeks. Pittsburgh has a number of options that can plug in to Watt’s position including Mali Reed who was part of a trade with the Denver Broncos this offseason. Jamir Johnson was also signed off waivers and Ryan Anderson was signed to the practice squad, but the Steelers head coach did not reveal his plans for replacing Watt during the time he will be sidelined.
Watt tied the single season sack record last year with 22.5 sacks in his Defensive Playoff of the Year season, bringing his career sack total to 73.