T.J. Watt Ruled out for Steelers vs. Chargers with Knee, Hip Injuries

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Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt won’t play in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Friday. 

Watt suffered the injury during Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, and has not practiced all week. 

The three-time Pro Bowler has battled minor injuries this season. A groin problem kept him out of Pittsburgh’s Week 3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and he suffered knee and hip ailments in a Week 10 tie with the Detroit Lions.

Luckily for Watt and the Steelers, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported he didn’t have any structural damage in the case of the latter.

The 27-year-old made his second All-Pro team and led the NFL in sacks (15) in 2020. He and the Steelers proceeded to put pen to paper on a four-year, $112 million extension.

So far, Watt has lived up to his forthcoming pay raise. Through eight games in 2021, he has 12.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

No team has distanced itself from the pack in the AFC North with the Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns all enjoying moments when they looked like potential division champions. At 5-3-1, Pittsburgh is second behind the Ravens and well placed to at least contend for the wild card.

Losing Watt for any stretch of time will not help in that regard, though.