PITTSBURGH – Two days after readers shook their heads when they saw him tell the Steelers paramedic he tore his left pec while walking out onto the field in Cincinnati, TJ Watt forwarded another meaningful message.
Tweeting a Terminator gif with the catchphrase “I’ll be back,” Watt allayed fears Tuesday afternoon that his season was over, avoiding the almost inevitable worst-case scenario as he leave the field.
“We’re probably in a much better position than we were after the game,” coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday. “I can say for sure that TJ won’t be playing this week [against the Patriots] but I won’t make any commitments beyond that. “
On Monday, Watt walked through the dressing room several times, and although he declined interview requests, he sounded optimistic. There’s reason for his optimism: Scans and evaluations show that despite his torn chest, he doesn’t need surgery and may only be sidelined for six weeks, source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That should see him return near the end of October, possibly in time for the Steelers Sunday night game in Miami on October 23.
“He always has a good attitude about everything and that’s what makes him a good leader,” said the person lined up outside. Alex Highsmith speak. “Even in the bad times, he’s always trying to make the people around him better. I think thanks to him having that, he’s letting everyone know that it’s going to be okay. “
Although Watt has avoided a season-end injury, the Steelers’ defense – the undisputed strength of the 2022 team – will be weaker in his absence.
A year ago, Watt tied Michael Strahan’s 22.5-bag NFL record on his way to winning his first Best Defensive Player award, and he did it in 15 games after missing one. one with a groin injury and another with a knee injury. He also played less than a week after testing positive for COVID-19 and scored 3.5 bags Baltimore Raven midfielder Lamar Jackson in his first match after the illness. Prior to Sunday’s injury, Watt had one interception, one cut, three saves and two saves.
Chest trauma has a wide range of outcomes and recovery times, but Watt – and his brother, JJ – have repeatedly proven recovery time is simply suggestive. JJ Watt tore off the PhD in October 2019 and returned it on January 4, 2020, for a Houston Texas won the overtime playoff.
“I’d rather say ‘whoa’ than ‘sic’ em’ [in terms of rushing Watt back]”Tomlin said.” We are talking about protecting a talented, highly competitive guy. It’s work, so I won’t act like it’s a problem. “
The youngest Watt was a game wrecker, a terror to opposing midfielders and the cornerstone of a defense that had all that makes a strong unit. Losing him at any stage not only affected the Steelers’ passing speed, but also limited some of the team’s defensive packages, including the group of three full-backs they deployed at times. in the past two seasons. Without Watt, the Steelers would have had to rely more on their secondary for pressure and creativity in delivering blits.
“He’s the best in the world at what he does,” Highsmith said. “I’m just grateful for the way he helped me in the game and everything. … I know a guy like him, it would hurt him that he’s not out there because he’s in love. football a lot. We’ll just go away to rally around him. We’ve got people who can just step in and deliver if he can’t go.”
The depth of the outside defenders was a big question going into training camp, and the Steelers swapped late-round picks with Dancer broncos to get Malik Reed on the day of the cut in an effort to strengthen the group. When Watt was out on Sunday afternoon, the Steelers turned Reed and Jamir Jones at the second outside full-back, playing them opposite Highsmith. Reed ended Sunday’s game playing 32 of 100 defenses, while Jones played 18.
The Steelers have been drawn to Reed, who has had 13 caps over the past two seasons, because of his starting experience, and they will rely on it more now.
Tomlin said of Reed last month: “He’s a good guy providing good quality depth for us there. “He’s played a lot; he’s played over 700 snaps in the last two seasons. He’s the third kind of guy to get promoted and play a lot in Denver because of the circumstances, [Bradley] Chubb and others. He brought a kind of helpful experience for us. “
Reed started 13 games with the Broncos each of the past two seasons, sometimes replacing top passers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. He came to Pittsburgh hoping for more playing time after the Broncos bought out Randy Gregoryand Reed’s previous experience makes him particularly prepared to replace Watt.
“They just say get ready for your role to expand,” Reed said Monday. “I know that’s part of the reason I’m here. So I’m ready for that.”
Jones, however, lacks the same experience. He spent time with the Steelers last season but was made his debut after scoring no goals in a third week starting.
“Every time you’re released, it’s like a slap in the face,” Jones said. “You have to take that and use it to get better. Look at yourself in the mirror and see what flaws you have and attack those flaws. And that’s what I did every day.”
With Watt’s extended absence, Highsmith will, in season three, be the new on-field leader of the outfield defenders. He had a hot start against the Bengals, scoring 3 tackles, 2 tackles conceded and 4 midfield hits on his season debut. This stat line is particularly impressive after Highsmith missed a large chunk of training camp because of a lingering rib injury.
“It’s a testament to his ability to self-medicate when injured,” defensive midfielder Cam Heyward speak. “He stayed. Last year, he faced an injury and it was hammering for him to go into the season. I think this year he looks really ready for the moment.”
But for all of Watt’s measurements, it’s also the invisible that the Steelers will miss, too. Watt was named captain a week ago, the second time he has had the honor since enlisting in 2017. He is an emotional leader and a mentor, inspiring his teammates. his team with outstanding plays and educate them on his way in practice.
“Having TJ out there definitely benefits us,” Heyward said Sunday. “He’s a leader. He’s Defensive Player of the Year. However, it took a long time for others to come up. Alex. Alex.” [Highsmith] has gone up quite well today. Malik [Reed] and Jamir [Jones] coming to the end. We got to do some different things out there, but we rallied around him. And when he comes back, we’ll be ready. “
