The Pittsburgh Steelers season started with good news and bad news. The good news is that they beat defending AFC champion and division rival Cincinnati. The bad news is that along the way they lost their best player: TJ Watt.
Next, all that is known about Watt’s problem and the future of Pittsburgh.
What injury does TJ Watt have?
TJ Watt suffered a chest rupture during the closing game in which the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in overtime. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year retired with clear signs of pain in that area and did not return to the game.
When can TJ Watt return?
If the injury required surgery, Watt would miss the entire season. However, the studies showed good news: surgery will not be necessary, so it could be back in about six weeks.
Bill @NFLNetwork that there is optimism regarding TJ Watt’s injury. his defender #Here you go he would not need surgery and would be out about 6 weeks.
— NFL Rhythm (@RitmoNfl) September 13, 2022
What games is TJ Watt missing?
This is the rest of Pittsburgh’s schedule for the season. Watt could return between Oct. 30 vs. the Eagles in Philadelphia or Nov. 13after a week off, at home against the Saints.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| two | Sunday, September 18, 2022 | patriots | Local |
| 3 | Thursday, September 22, 2022 | of Brown | Visitor |
| 4 | Sunday, October 2, 2022 | jets | Local |
| 5 | Sunday, October 9, 2022 | Accounts | Visitor |
| 6 | Sunday, October 16, 2022 | Buccaneers | Local |
| 7 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 | Dolphins | Visitor |
| 8 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | eagles | Visitor |
| 9 | Goodbye | ||
| 10 | Sunday, November 13, 2022 | saints | Local |
| eleven | Sunday, November 20, 2022 | Bengal | Local |
| 12 | Monday, November 28, 2022 | Baby chicks | Visitor |
| 13 | Sunday, December 4, 2022 | hawks | Visitor |
| 14 | Sunday, December 11, 2022 | crows | Local |
| fifteen | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | panthers | Visitor |
| 16 | Saturday, December 24, 2022 | raiders | Local |
| 17 | Sunday January 1, 2023 | crows | Visitor |
| 18 | To confirm | of Brown | Local |
Who replaces TJ Watt?
One problem for the Steelers is that they have very shallow depth in place edge behind their starters, TJ Watt and an Alexis Highsmith who opened the season with three sacks against Cincinnati.
Watt’s natural replacement is Malik Reeda recent addition from the Broncos , who had 8 and 5 sack seasons in the last two years in Denver. Jameer Jones (no sacks in his short career), is another alternative for Tomlin.
