Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt could play in Week 16 vs. Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has not ruled out EDGE T.J. Watt for their Week 16 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens.

It’s a short turnaround for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Following a tough Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Steelers have five days to prepare for rival Baltimore Ravens.

Among players injured in the loss was star EDGE rusher T.J. Watt. Mike Tomlin has not ruled out Watt, who sustained an ankle injury late.

Watt said postgame that ankle x-rays were negative. Tomlin is optimistic Watt will play this weekend, deeming him questionable heading into Ravens week.

“We’re playing for a division title,” Tomlin said in his Monday press conference. “Those who are healthy will play.”

The Steelers take on the Ravens on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in Baltimore.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

T.J. Watt hits Steelers milestone in Week 15 matchup vs Eagles

T.J. Watt tied James Harrison’s Steelers record for forced fumbles, inching closer to becoming the franchise’s all-time leader.

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit in the wind, and you shouldn’t let T.J. Watt anywhere near an opposing quarterback. Despite suffering an apparent ankle injury in Pittsburgh’s Week 15 loss to the Eagles, Watt once again etched his name among all-time Steelers legends by tying the record for most forced fumbles in team history.

Toward the end of the first quarter, Watt made a huge splash play by punching the football out of Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ arms, earning his 33rd career forced fumble in the process.

Watt is now tied with Steelers legend James Harrison, but at this stage of his career, surpassing Harrison is practically a matter of when, not if.

If Watt is healthy enough to play in what may be the most important game of the Steelers’ season so far—the AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16—fans should have their eyes glued to his immaculate ability to knock footballs loose.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers OLB T.J. Watt provides positive injury update from Week 15

T.J. Watt provides relief to fans with a positive injury update, keeping their hopes alive for the AFC North showdown against the Ravens.

Fear not, Steelers fans, for it appears your prayers have been answered! In Week 15, the hearts of the Black and Gold faithful dropped as fans watched former 2022 D.P.O.Y. T.J. Watt roll on the ground in pain during the fourth quarter of the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries have been a recurring concern for Watt over the past few seasons, but fans were treated to an immediate and remarkable update—straight from Watt himself.

While speaking to reporters after the Week 15 contest, Watt revealed that tests and X-rays came back negative, and the issue was as simple as rolling his ankle.

It remains to be seen if Watt will be able to recover in time for Saturday’s Week 16 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Steelers defender will do all he can to make sure he is ready for the AFC North showdown—especially with the opportunity to clinch the division on the line.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

T.J. Watt suffers apparent ankle injury in Week 15 vs Eagles

T.J. Watt’s late-game injury clouds the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff outlook, but their depth at linebacker offers hope.

As if the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 15, 13-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t get any worse, their best player on defense appeared to suffer an injury to his left leg at the end of the contest.

With under five minutes remaining, T.J. Watt attempted to bend to the outside to get around Eagles RT Lane Johnson but collapsed to the ground, clutching his left foot and ankle area.

The good news is that Watt ultimately walked off the field under his own power, but the timing couldn’t be worse with the playoffs just weeks away.

The Pittsburgh Steelers boast incredible depth at the outside linebacker position, with a plethora of capable pass rushers—Preston Smith, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith—ready to step up in Watt’s potential absence. Watt’s availability for the remainder of the regular season will be the top question on everyone’s minds. Stay tuned to Steelers Wire for updates.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Philadelphia established its passing game and was dominant on defense, but the scoreboard tells a different story as the Eagles hold just a 17-13 lead over Pittsburgh after one half.

Vic Fangio’s defense held the Steelers to just 80 yards of offense on 30 plays in the first half, but two costly Eagles turnovers and two Chris Boswell field goals have Mike Tomlin’s team within four.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at sights and sounds from the first half.

***

Week 15: Back-to-back fumbles give Steelers momentum early vs Eagles

T.J. Watt and Mark Robinson created momentum-changing turnovers for the Pittsburgh Steelers early in their Week 15 clash with the Eagles.

Here is a special thank you to Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt and ILB Mark Robinson, who both contributed to momentum-changing plays early in the Week 15 contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts attempted to scramble and keep the play alive. Watt, who was already leading the league with five forced fumbles, added another to his fantastic 2024 campaign. Hurts almost had a rushing lane available, but Watt immediately punched the ball out as the QB made it past the line of scrimmage.

With a little over four minutes left in the first quarter, the Pittsburgh Steelers punted after failing to capitalize on Watt’s forced fumble. However, as the Eagles’ returner, rookie CB Cooper Dejean, received the football, Robinson bolted down the field and delivered a huge hit, knocking the ball loose in the process.

After a personal foul penalty stalled the Pittsburgh Steelers red zone aspirations, the team would call on Chris Boswell to put their first points of the day on the board.  The Steelers currently trail the Eagles 10-3 as the second quarter begins.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Is Tee Higgins about to pull a T.J. Watt with the Bengals?

Bengals fans would like this, to say the least.

Could Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins emulate Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt soon?

A few years ago, Watt overruled his own agents and went to Steelers brass and agreed to his long-term extension, while reps thought they might be able to get more money out of the situation.

One line of thinking suggests Higgins might be on his way to doing something similar, in a sense. Word finally went public this week that he parted ways with NFL agent David Mulugheta.

That news came right after Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow publicly put pressure on the Bengals front office about getting a Higgins extension done — multiple times.

Granted, Watt was still signing a deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player and the Steelers were breaking normal contractual behavior in terms of guarantees. Higgins might not get either of those things if he re-ups with the Bengals.

Onlookers will have to remain in wait-and-see mode when it comes to Higgins. But the fact this is even a conversation speaks to how dramatically things have changed around his possible long-term status with the Bengals.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Mike Tomlin has hilarious reaction to signing T.J. Watt’s big bro, J.J.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin joked about signing T.J. Watt’s big brother, J.J. Watt, on The Pat McAfee Show.

NFL legend J.J. Watt has been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers several times, but nothing substantial has ever come from it. Instead, the eldest Watt has been to the Steelers facility and games to support his brother T.J. Watt — most recently this past week when the Steelers took on the Cleveland Browns.

The former Houston Texans defender turned broadcaster has even upped his Terrible Towel twirling game after being blasted for his technique last season.

Mike Tomlin, a guest on The Pat McAfee Show, said this when asked if he’s tried to sign J.J. when he’s in Pittsburgh.

We don’t have enough cash for two Watts.

T.J. Watt will enter the final year of a massive four-year, $112 million contract in 2025. Gerry Dulac, Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, doesn’t believe the team will prioritize re-signing Watt in the offseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers expect Eagles to leave OTs on island in pass pro

The Steelers face a huge challenge this week in the Eagles offensive tackles.

The Philadelphia Eagles have two of the best starting offensive tackles in the NFL. The combination of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson gives Philadelphia plenty of freedom when it comes to blocking. This week they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and according to Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, he expects them to work against the Steelers pass rushers with no help

Pittsburgh plans to deploy their pass rushers in a variety of ways against the Eagles. With Alex Highsmith healthy the Steelers have three quality edge players along with T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig. If the Eagles dare them to beat their tackles one-on-one, Pittsburgh had better take advantage.

Historically, the Steelers have been among the best pass-rushing teams in the NFL but 2024 has been different. Watt leads the team with 9.5 sacks but Herbig and Highsmith have combined for only 8.5.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL analyst breaks down Pittsburgh Steelers elite Week 14 pass rush

Brian Baldinger, best known for his ‘Baldy’s Breakdowns’, highlighted how intense the Steelers pass rush was against the Browns in Week 14.

Fans of the old-school style of great Pittsburgh Steelers defenses have surely enjoyed the 2024 season so far. The team boasts one of the most elite defensive lines in the NFL, featuring several of the league’s top defenders, including T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Cam Heyward, to name a few.

Brian Baldinger, an NFL analyst, highlighted a play that showcased what all four of these players are capable of when on the field together.

Baldinger’s description of the four Steelers defenders perfectly captures their impact, as these elite players consistently hunt down opposing quarterbacks come game time.

While there was much debate about how the Pittsburgh Steelers should utilize OLBs Highsmith, Watt, and Herbig together, Week 14 proved that the defense is at its best when all three are available.

The Black and Gold will need these defenders at their peak when they head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in Week 15, on December 15 at 4:25 PM EST.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]