Steelers Appear To Avoid Catastrophe As TJ Watt Gives All The Unspoken Signs That He Will Be Good For Ravens Game In Week 16

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a frustrating and even embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. Still, they nearly lost something more valuable than a single game: All-Pro edge rusher, TJ Watt. The superhuman linebacker did everything he could to help keep Pittsburgh in the game. However, he went down with an injury in the fourth quarter, and all of Steeler Nation collectively held their breath.  

Watt has been a problem for offenses since being drafted in the first round in 2017. This season, there has been an uptick of opponents double and even triple-teaming Watt to keep him from wreaking havoc. Fortunately, that frees up his fellow linebackers, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Watt had one of his best games of the season against the Eagles however, with a forced fumble, two sacks, and seven tackles before the injury. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin indicated in his press conference that Watt's x-ray was negative, but that he is questionable for the Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show told the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show that he felt optimistic after seeing Watt postgame. 

"He actually talked for a couple minutes, didn't say much," shared Kaboly. "He was walking. He looked pretty fine to me. I'm not a doctor, but if it was something significant, he wouldn't have talked to the media, and he wouldn't have walked around without any brace on. I would assume it's just sort of a little sprain; tape it up. I would assume he's ready to go for Saturday. They avoided one right there. I mean, that's a season-altering type of injury. He seemed like it was fine to me. He acted like it was fine. He should be fine."

Kaboly said that initially, speculations ran wild. Watt appeared to be in significant pain, only fueling fans' worry. After all, they aren't unfamiliar with the impact of losing Watt. In 2022, Watt suffered a torn pectoral muscle that kept him out for several weeks. The Steelers struggled without him. They went 1-6 in the seven games he missed and are 1-10 all-time when Watt is injured.  

The game against the Eagles was the first of three games in 10 days. Despite Pittsburgh having one of the toughest schedules in the league for 2024, the games post-bye are considered especially tough, and these three are the most brutal of all. They face the Baltimore Ravens this coming Saturday and will turn around and play the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. 

Is Steelers' TJ Watt A Victim Of Bad Officiating?

When fans saw Watt on the ground, writhing in pain, they were both angry and worried. It appeared that Lane Johnson was holding Watt, something that fans have complained about all season long, but the officials seem to ignore.

It is no secret that Watt is difficult to contain, and Johnson did an admirable job of it most of the game. However, many fans feel this results from his holding the former Defensive Player of the Year, rather than clean offensive work. 

This isn't a new complaint. Early in the season, Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin noted that the great pass rushers get held, and it is the responsibility of the defense to find a way to get around that. Johnson didn't intend to hurt Watt; he even wished him well after the game, calling him the best in the world. However, the league is so worried about protecting offensive players that it is often at the expense of defensive players. 

Do you think Watt will be ready to go against the Ravens? Click to comment below. 

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