Steelers release Wednesday injury report ahead of Week 2 matchup vs Patriots
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have both updated their respective injury reports heading into their Week 2 matchup against one another.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been cleared to fully participate after a minor back issue, while Steelers running back Najee Harris was a limited participant Wednesday. TJ Watt, as expected, did not participate.
Steelers Injury Report
Did Not Participate: LB TJ Watt (pectoral)
Limited Participation: RB Najee Harris (foot), CB Levi Wallace (ankle), OL Mason Cole (ankle)
Full Participation: LB Rob Spillane (eye)
Patriots Injury Report
Did Not Participate: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (toe)
Limited Participation: S Joshuah Bledsoe (groin), S Adrian Phillips (ribs), G Cole Strange (shoulder), CB Shaun Wade (ankle)
Full Participation: QB Mac Jones (back)
TJ Watt to miss ‘about six weeks’ with pectoral injury
The bad news for Pittsburgh is that TJ Watt is going to be missing some time with a pectoral injury. The good news is the rehab timeline is shorter than expected after Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed Watt will only miss “about six weeks” due to his injury. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was previously thought to be out for the season. However, since surgery is not required, Watt will be back on the field at some point this year.
“Doctors determined this afternoon that Steelers’ LB T.J. Watt does not surgery on his torn pectoral and he now is expected to miss about six weeks, per source,” Schefter said.
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Watt suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter vs. Cincinnati. From the moment it occurred, he knew what had happened. Walking off the field holding his chest, he was seen mouthing “I tore my pec, I tore my pec.”
While the six weeks might be positive news, Watt will still be a major loss for Pittsburgh. He was having a dominant performance on Sunday, already filling up the stat sheet. Watt finished with six tackles, three tackles for a loss, a sack, an interception, and two passes defended. Especially in an AFC North matchup, it was an incredible showing for Watt.
Over the next six games, the Steelers have a few crucial matchups on the schedule. They will travel to Cleveland Week 3 and Buffalo Week 5. New England will be in town on Sunday. Some big-named AFC quarterbacks/opponents will not have to face the wrath of Watt.
On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.