The Pittsburgh Steelers fans had their nightmare start to unfold in the 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only were the Steelers essentially out of the game, but star TJ Watt left the field with an injury late in the contest. The injury was initially described as a low ankle sprain, leaving fans concerned about how it might impact the rest of the season.
As time passes and more information trickles in, it appears that Watt may have dodged a major setback. While it was a frightening moment for Steeler Nation, early reports suggest that the injury is not as severe as initially feared. At first the fear was that he seriously got hurt and was going to miss a lot of time. Now it seems likely he will be playing on a short week.
With the Steelers gearing up for a crucial game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, the status of Watt has become a hot topic. ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin dug into the situation and reported that Watt is expected to be ready to play. This news is a huge relief for Steelers fans, who are eager to see their star pass rusher back on the field and leading the defense.
"I checked in on this, and the expectation I'm told is that he will be ready to go," Martin said. "Yesterday was a light day, it was a walkthrough. He did not practice, but I'm told that he does feel better, and he expects to play, so l'm optimistic about it."
That update is incredibly good news for both Steelers fans and the team. Watt is a key reason why Pittsburgh always seems to have a chance, no matter the opponent. He strikes fear into opposing offenses and is a major factor in why Head Coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. When Watt can’t play, the Steelers often struggle, so having him on the field is a huge boost for the team.
Steelers Are In The Middle Of A Brutal Challenge
The NFL is a brutal league, and the timing of this injury couldn’t be worse. Pittsburgh is in the midst of their most challenging stretch of the 2024 season, facing three of the NFL's best teams in just 10 days. It's a daunting run that feels almost impossible, and staying healthy through it is crucial. While the Steelers wanted to win all three games, they fell short in the first one, losing to the Eagles. Now, they’ll turn their focus to clinching the AFC North title with a win over the Ravens on Saturday.
The good news is that Watt appears ready to go on Saturday. The concern, however, lies in his immense value to the team—his potential to play at anything less than 100% will surely make Steelers fans uneasy. It will be fascinating to monitor Watt's status as the game approaches. As of now, all signs point to the NFL’s best defensive player being on the field in Baltimore.
Watt is having another outstanding season in 2024, with 38 solo tackles, 11.5 sacks, and an NFL-leading six forced fumbles. Many consider him the front-runner for the Defensive Player of the Year award. With the Steelers sitting at a 10-4 record and a postseason berth secured, all eyes are on the team’s potential for a deep playoff run—and on helping Watt secure a Super Bowl title. His health will be crucial to making that goal a reality.
