PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – To the eye, you wouldn't know TJ Watt was injured. He walked through the locker room Monday snapping his fingers and smiling when saying he wasn't going to do interviews today.
The team had yet to clarify anything with his pectoral injury suffered late against the Bengals on Sunday. Presumably head coach Mike Tomlin will address it with some updated information on Tuesday and you'll hear it live on 93.7 The Fan at noon.
Defensive captain Cam Heyward would understand. In November of 2016, Heyward suffered a pec injury against Dallas. It would end up being torn and he would miss the rest of the season, which lasted seven more weeks.
"I was told it was a damn bruise at the time when I did mine," Heyward said Monday. "Little did I know it was off-the-bone, so I wasn't feeling anything. Everyone has a different injury. You hope it's not season-ending."
"It's different, whether it's muscle or tendon. I'm not going to act like I'm a doctor. My injury was pretty significant. I couldn't feel it. So, I didn't know what was going on. The next day it was just all black-and-blue."
"Hopefully that's not it, I don't know what to expect (of Watt's injury). I think everybody is just saying a prayer right now."
Outside linebacker Jamir Jones signed back with the Steelers 11 days ago after being released by the Jaguars. His locker is right next to Watt's. He doesn't know how long the Defensive Player of the Year will be out, but said of making up for his loss.
"It takes all of us," Jones said. "Obviously he's the best defensive player in the NFL right now. It's going to take all of us, all 11 out there. It's not just on me, it's on everyone."
"I believe in who I am and what I can do," said linebacker Malik Reed. "I believe that it will be more than enough. TJ is a great player being the Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in sacks. He does great things. I will be the best version of Malik that I can be and roll with that."
"That's part of the game, even when I got injured," Heyward said. "It's unfortunate for the player, but the rest of the team has to step up."
TJ Watt has missed four games over his six-year career. The Steelers are 0-4 over those games.
