NFL, NFLPA reviewing situation surrounding TJ Watt's concussion protocol designation
The NFL and NFLPA are jointly reviewing the situation surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) linebacker TJ Watt on how and when he entered the league’s concussion protocol, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Watt entered concussion protocol this past Friday following the 21-18 Week 14 defeat to the New England Patriots (3-10) Thursday. He sustained the injury on the first play of the game after his head collided with the knee of Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott. Watt left the game before coming back in with a tinted visor. He played 90% of the defensive snaps, making five tackles (three solo). Watt didn’t register a sack. He reported concussion symptoms the following day.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday he wasn’t aware that Watt changed to a tinted visor during the game.
“I wasn’t aware of that, to be honest with you,” Tomlin said. “So I don’t have a response to that. I wasn’t aware that he changed visors or — he normally wears a visor. You mean the tint of his visor? I wasn’t aware of that.”
Tomlin added he assumed Watt was examined for a concussion before returning to the game.
“I assume he was. I manage the game,” Tomlin said. “I leave it to the medical experts. They essentially tell me when someone is out or subject to return or whether they are back. I got a report that he was subject to return, and I got a report he was back, and that was my knowledge of the details that transpired with him while he was out of the game.”
TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith in concussion protocol for Steelers
Watt, 29, leads the Steelers with 14.0 sacks, one off the pace of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack for the league lead.
Fellow pass rusher Alex Highsmith is in concussion protocol as well. Highsmith, 26, missed the entirety of the second half after suffering a neck injury during the second quarter. Highsmith and his teammates lobbied with officials that a holding penalty should have been called on the play, but to no avail.
Highsmith, coming off a career-high 14.5 sacks, is second on the Steelers this season with 6.0 sacks. He has added 49 tackles (27 solo), two forced fumbles and a pick-six.