Injured TJ Watt now can return in the second half of the year. On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers made an open announcement on Twitter about the linebacker’s pectoral injury. They placed their outside linebacker on injured reserve for a six-week period.
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The Sunday game against Cincinnati Bengals witnessed an overtime win for the Steelers. The Week 1 game had an outstanding grip on the defense from the Steelers’ side. A total number of 7 sacks, and 4 interceptions brought the 23-20 win for the Steelers. It was the last seconds of regulations that put the pass rusher on the IR (Injured Reserve). While attempting to tackle Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, TJ wounded his pectoral muscle.
The injury will keep him out until the 8th Week if not the entire year
TJ Watt had a fantastic season for the Steelers in 2021. He won the NFL’s defensive player of the year after setting a single-season sack record of 22.5.
Obviously, the Steelers will feel his absence. Initially, neither Steelers coach Mike Tomlin nor the team confirmed any specific injury timetable for him after the match vs. the Bengals. “I can definitively say that T.J. won’t play this week, but I won’t make any commitments beyond that.” Coach Tomlin said after the match.
However, the Steelers’ medical team placed Watt on the ‘injured reserve’ after receiving multiple opinions from doctors.
TJ Watt is confident to be back in a Schwarzenegger-eschew style
Watt’s determination, however, is most likely influenced by his brother JJ Watt. In his nine-year career, he has only played one full season since 2015.
Watt is committed to recovering from this injury in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s way. He assures his fans of his impending return by tweeting a Terminator gif.
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) September 13, 2022
Experts rightfully considered JJ Watt as one of the greatest defenses in the history of the NFL only when he is in a good health. And that is certainly a rarity in his case.
JJ, who had a long history of field injuries, even played regular seasons while wearing elbow braces. In 2019, he also had a pectoral tear in his chest. Watt’s big brother from the Arizona Cardinals is there to support him during this difficult time. If the big brother can do it, then why not Watt too?
Since Sunday, fans have flooded Twitter with emotional messages and encouraging words for Watt. The ‘Watt gene,’ according to the fans, can easily overcome any injury.
see him in 3 weeks since he’s a Watt
— not bimmy (@ingoodshapecat) September 15, 2022
After he tweeted the ‘Terminator gif,’ one fan went to great lengths to give his name a new meaning!
T.J. Watt!!!! T stands for Terminator!! J stands for Juggernaut!! Dude has been wreaking havoc on the NFL since DAY 1! That’s the way we build em at U Dub!!! Yeah…we do it big on the defensive side too!! Who’s Next???
THE TRADITION WILL CONTINUE!!!@_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/ccPXIG7bfG— GaryBrown🏈🎮 (@GaryBrownUW) May 20, 2021
One fan even claimed that Watt’s absence would favor other linebackers such as Micah Parsons in winning A DPOY!
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Micah Parsons gonna win a fraudulent DPOY award.😭😭
— HBK💔SZN⚡ (@trolledbywho) September 15, 2022
Steelers’ season-opening scored them one sack, two pressures, and one interception by Watt alone. The Steelers, hopefully, are going to keep this legacy intact this week against New England Patriots too. Besides signing Ryan Anderson to the practice squad, they also signed LB David Anenih to the 53-man active roster.
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When the Steelers have trusted someone extremely new like David Anenih, it would be interesting to see how the defensive line will work out in the absence of Watt this coming week.
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