The damage occurred whereas Watt was receiving medical therapy on the Steelers’ facility on Wednesday, in line with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Head coach Mike Tomlin stated on Thursday (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that Watt remains to be within the hospital present process extra testing, which can decide his standing for his or her Week 15 matchup in opposition to the Dolphins.
Watt, 31, has began all 13 of the Steelers’ video games this season with an 82% snap share. He’s having one other glorious season with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, which rank first and second on the group. He has additionally been credited with 43 pressures, per Pro Football Focus which lead the Steelers and rank nineteenth within the NFL.
In different phrases, an absence from Watt can be a significant blow to Pittsburgh’s protection, although they’re positioned to face up to it within the short-term. The four-time All-Professional nearly completely strains up on the left aspect of the protection with Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig splitting snaps on the precise aspect. One of many two — doubtless Herbig — can fill a few of Watt’s snaps off the left edge.
Rookie Jack Sawyer will even be in line for some extra alternatives. The second-round decide has appeared in each recreation this 12 months however performed simply 182 snaps (19.4% snap share) with out a lot manufacturing. Sawyer has primarily rotated in for Watt on the left aspect and may see an uptick if he can’t play. That would additionally end in a observe squad elevation for fourth-year defensive finish DeMarvin Leal.
The Steelers might be monitoring Watt’s situation fastidiously over the subsequent few days to guage his availability for Monday evening’s recreation.
