Will Steelers LB T.J. Watt’s gruesome injury keep him off the field?
from Aaron Becker, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
The Steelers seemed to have escaped their Week 5 win against the Ravens mostly injury-free. However, recent reports reveal that star LB and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt suffered an awful injury during the game.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Watt suffered a badly dislocated finger and tore multiple ligaments in Pittsburgh’s 17-10 win over Baltimore Sunday.
Luckily for the Steelers, Watt’s injury is not expected to keep him off the field after their Week 6 bye. Although, he may need surgery to repair his finger after the season depending on how it feels, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
It is just the latest example of how tough Watt is as he popped it back in and kept playing in the important divisional battle for first place in the AFC North.
Watt still finished the game with two sacks, two tackles for a loss, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
He seems to be giving his best head coach Mike Tomlin impression who notably said, “We do not care.”
The former DPOY is clearly searching for his second such award in 2023 as he now leads the league in sacks (8) and forced fumbles (2) and is third in the NFL in tackles for a loss (7).
The race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year is far from over, so Watt must continue stacking performances like the one he had in Week 5.
For now, he must rest during the bye week, which seems to have come at the perfect time for Pittsburgh. It will give Watt and the Steelers the time to get healthier as they’re set to face the Rams (2-3) in Week 7.