The Pittsburgh Steelers have not won a game that reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt did not play in since he was drafted back in 2017. The defense has been noticeably different and less explosive since he suffered a pectoral tear in the team's Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Watt is the ultimate competitor and is expected to return at some point this season, but not so fast. There has not been much conversation about his recovery while he is on IR, however some expected him to return to the field before Week 6. According to Steelers insider, Ray Fittipaldo, that may not be the case and the edge rusher could have suffered a setback.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Watt has essentially disappeared from the locker room and it has a lot of people wondering and speculating on what might have happened. This has not been confirmed by anyone on the team or from within the organization, but it is definitely concerning hearing what the reporter had to say.
"Early last week, I want to say last Wednesday, T.J. [Watt] was out there working, he was visible at practice. Since then, has hasn't been at practice. I didn't put eyes on him at the [New York] Jets game. A lot of people are putting two and two together and I'm in that camp. I think some sort of setback occurred with his rehab.""I don't think he's going to be a candidate to come off IR next week even though he's eligible. We haven't gotten any answers from [Mike] Tomlin so we might be in the dark for a little while here, but T.J. hasn't been in the locker room, hasn't been on the practice field and I didn't see him at Acrisure during that Jets game."
Ron Cook, another reporter for the Steelers, agreed with Fittipaldo and mentioned that it may be a much longer journey back for Watt than many originally expected when he was placed on IR.
"Next week would be somewhat of a pipe dream. The schedule still gets hard [for the Steelers]. Maybe end up going to the bye week to give him a little extra time," Cook said..@jhathhorn confirms what @rayfitt1 said earlier on @937theFan. That TJ Watt wasn't seen at Sunday's game. And the belief is that he's suffered some kind of injury setback in his rehab. PS-Jeff is an award-winning Steelers reporter. With a lot of credibility.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) October 7, 2022
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 28: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium on August 28, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Fittipaldo concurred and said there is no reason to rush Watt back if the team is 1-7 after a tough stretch in October.
"There is no hurry to rush him back. Not that they would rush him back anyways. They're going to bring him back when he's healthy. I'll just tell you there was a lot of optimism when he was out there working last Wednesday. Now, there's really not a lot of optimism at all after not seeing back for the past week or so."Watt is the most important player for the Steelers' franchise and rushing him back could potentially have an effect on his future. However, Pittsburgh is looking at a long and gloomy season if he can't return soon. The defense has taken a major step back without him on the field and if he did indeed suffer a setback, it's not out of the question that the organization decides to play it safe and keep him out the remainder of the year if the team is 1-7 heading into next month.
Are you worried that Watt may have suffered a setback? Let us know in the comments below!
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