Steelers T.J. Watt Reportedly Suffers Torn Pectoral

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt reportedly suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Sunday's overtime win against the Bengals. ESPN is reporting the team will confirm the initial diagnosis with scans on Monday.

The injury came late in the team's overtime win against the Cincinnati Bengals. When initially injured, Watt jogged off the sideline and could be seen mouthing he had torn his pectoral muscle. The team immediately took him back to the locker room and ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

T.J. Watt entered the 2022 season coming off an impressive 2021 season. He had been named an All-Pro for a third season in a row and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after tying the single-season record with 22.5 sacks. Watt also missed two games and parts of others last season due to groin and hip injuries.

He and the Steelers' defense seemingly were meeting expectations in today's game against the Bengals. The Steelers' defense had sacked Joe Burrow seven times and had totaled 11 quarterback hits as a unit.

Watt's presence alone accounted for six tackles, one sack, one tackle for a loss, and four passes broken up, including one interception. If it is indeed a confirmed diagnosis of a torn pectoral muscle, the Steelers' defense is going to miss his presence.

Through his first five seasons, Watt has accumulated 73 sacks in 80 games, in addition to 22 forced fumbles and 155 quarterback hits.