AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
The MRI on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt’s knee and hip came back negative, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, though he remains “sore.”
Schefter added that it is “uncertain how much, if any, time Watt will miss.”
Watt exited Pittsburgh’s Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter and didn’t return. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that the star edge rusher suffered injuries to his hip and knee. Watt reportedly was scheduled to undergo scans on Monday to determine the severity of the injuries.
Watt is in his fifth season in the NFL and has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league. The Wisconsin product was selected to three straight Pro Bowls since 2018 and was named first-team All-Pro in each of the past two years.
The Steelers rewarded Watt with a four-year extension worth over $112 million with $80 million guaranteed this past offseason, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
Watt, who led the league with 15.0 sacks in 2020, was on pace to set a new career-high this season. Through eight games, he has 39 tackles (13 for loss), 12.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits.
Pittsburgh’s pass-rush takes a major hit with Watt out of the lineup. The Steelers have 26 total sacks, mostly thanks to Watt’s production. No other player on the team has more than 4.5 sacks.
Look for Pittsburgh to use multiple players in place of Watt until he is able to return. Second-year linebacker Derrek Tuszka could see some more playing time, and backup defensive ends Taco Charlton and Isaiahh Loudermilk could be called upon in to help generate a pass-rush in certain situations.
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