Tag: TJ Watt

Steelers star LB T.J. Watt hospitalized with lung issue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt is undergoing medical evaluation of a lung at a local hospital after experiencing discomfort at the team’s practice facility on Wednesday.

“He will not be at practice on Thursday, and his status for Monday night’s game vs. Miami is in question,” the Steelers said in a statement on Thursday. “Coach (Mike) Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time.”

The Steelers (7-6) did not divulge the severity of the lung issue.

Signed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed in July, Watt has recorded seven sacks and 53 tackles in 13 games (all starts) this season. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has not missed a game since the 2022 season.

Watt, 31, has 115 career sacks in 134 games (all starts) since being selected by Pittsburgh with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982) held by Michael Strahan and has been a first-team All-Pro four times.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Steelers, T.J. Watt agree to record 3-year, $123M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Star linebacker T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.

The $41 million per year average will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, topping the $40 million average that Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett agreed to earlier this offseason.

Thursday’s news will put a bow on contract talks that spanned several months.

Watt, 30, initially caused a stir over social media in April by posting a picture in which he flashed two fingers. That left plenty open to interpretation about his future with the Steelers, with many questioning if he essentially was saying “peace out” to the team that selected him with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft?

Watt, is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million extension he signed in 2021. He will receive $21.05 million in 2025.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Watt recorded 11.5 sacks last season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career. He also registered an NFL-best six forced fumbles in 17 games.

Watt has 108 career sacks in 121 games (all starts) with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

T.J. Watt’s cryptic post invites questions about future with Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt caused a stir over social media by posting a picture in which he flashed two fingers and left plenty open to interpretation about his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The since-deleted post on Instagram included no text or explanation. Does it mean he’s at peace with the Steelers, or is he essentially saying “peace out” to the team that selected him with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft?

Taken a step further, is Watt channeling his inner Myles Garrett? You know, the defensive end who demanded a trade from Cleveland only to sign a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns.

Watt, 30, is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million extension he signed in 2021. He will receive $21.05 million in 2025.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Watt recorded 11.5 sacks last season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career. He also registered an NFL-best six forced fumbles in 17 games.

Watt has 108 career sacks in 121 games (all starts) with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Steelers’ T.J. Watt on playing status vs. Ravens: ‘We’ll see’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt was noncommittal about his playing status for Saturday’s game against the host Baltimore Ravens.

“We’ll see Sunday — or Saturday I guess I should say — but I felt pretty good this week,” Watt said Thursday in regard to his recovery from an ankle injury. “Obviously it’s a short week but felt pretty good.”

Watt rolled his left ankle with 4:46 left in the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ 27-13 loss to the host Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. He didn’t participate in Tuesday’s walk-through session, was a limited participant Wednesday and a full participant on Thursday. He does not carry an injury designation into the contest against the Ravens.

“There’s not a lot of things you do on practice in a short week like this to push it, so I want to see how it feels on Saturday,” Watt said. “But I feel pretty good right now.”

Watt, 30, had two sacks and a forced fumble to go with seven tackles on Sunday. He has 11 1/2 sacks this season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career.

A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Watt has 108 career sacks in 118 games with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).

Wide receiver George Pickens will miss his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. He joined quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) in being ruled out while safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) is doubtful after being limited in practice on Thursday.

Cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) are questionable to play against the Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers medical staff tend to inebacker T.J. Watt (left) as teammates take a knee during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ T.J. Watt injures knee against Ravens, ruled out

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter against the host Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

Watt was attended to by trainers and left the game for the locker room under his own power. The Steelers soon ruled him out for the rest of the night.

Watt and a teammate inadvertently collided during a play, and Watt went to the ground. He was seen punching the turf in pain.

Earlier in the game, Watt recorded two sacks to reach a league-high 19 for the season. Watt is the second player in NFL history to have multiple 19-sack seasons — joining his older brother, J.J. Watt.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers LB T.J. Watt laughs off scary fall into pool

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Linebacker T.J. Watt gave Pittsburgh Steelers fans a scare on social media after posting video of his dangerous-looking dip in the swimming pool.

Watt was attempting to clean his pool when he slipped off the edge and found himself briefly immersed in the water on Thursday. The five-time Pro Bowl selection quickly popped to his feet without incident, and took to social media to reveal that he’s perfectly fine.

“Warning.. The activity in this video may be dangerous… don’t try at home.. (I am completely ok),” Watt wrote.

J.J. Watt was quick to give his younger brother the business on social media.

“This is the most ‘TJ’ video I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” he wrote. “(at least this explains why you were late to clean mine today)”

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox (84) collides with Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) after a catch in the second quarter of the NFL divisional playoff football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills during an AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Bills LB Matt Milano replaces T.J. Watt on Pro Bowl roster

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano has been named to the AFC roster for the upcoming Pro Bowl Games, the team announced Friday.

Milano will take the place of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, who pulled out due to an injury.

Milano, who is headed to his first Pro Bowl, was named as a First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career this season. He had 99 tackles with three interceptions — including one for a touchdown — and two fumble recoveries while starting all 15 games in which he played in 2022.

Milano, 28, has totaled 458 tackles, 10.5 sacks, eight interceptions and nine fumble recoveries in 85 career games (69 starts) with the Bills.

The Pro Bowl Games will take place in Las Vegas on Feb. 5.

–Field Level Media