The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have caught an early case of the injury bug.
Linebacker T.J. Watt exited the Steelers’ Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals after executing a hit on quarterback Joe Burrow. Watt walked off the field while gesturing toward his left shoulder and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the game with a possible pectoral injury, according to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi.
Watt’s final play of the game occurred during the last drive of regulation and before Burrow found receiver Ja’Marr Chase for a game-tying touchdown with 2 seconds left. However, a missed extra point sent the game to overtime where the Steelers eventually won by a 23-20 score Sunday.
The three-time All-Pro wasn’t the only Steelers’ player to leave the game with an injury. Running back Najee Harris, center Mason Cole and cornerback Levi Wallace were also among Pittsburgh’s Week 1 casualties.
Watt, 27, signed a four-year extension with the Steelers in 2021 worth a reported $112 million. The deal was restructured earlier this week to save the Steelers about $6.75 million toward the salary cap this season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
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Pittsburgh hosts the New England Patriots in a Week 2 matchup that kicks off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
