In search of elusive win without T.J. Watt, Steelers keep experimenting on defense

It’s a question the Pittsburgh Steelers players face every game T.J. Watt sits out because of injury: What do they have to do to win without the NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

Six years into the star outside linebacker’s career, the answer is like Pi. It can’t be calculated.

“Obviously, we’re still trying to win without him,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said Thursday. “I think we’re 0-7 without him.”

Actually, the Steelers are 0-6 in games that Watt has missed because of injury or because he was rested in the final game of the year. Factor in games in which Watt has played fewer than 50% of the snaps, and that number swells to 1-8-1. That lone win came in the second game of Watt’s career, a 26-9 victory against Minnesota in 2017.

Watt’s absence has been magnified the past two seasons. The Steelers were 0-2 last year when he wasn’t healthy enough to take the field and 0-2-1 when he played fewer than half the snaps.

This year, of course, the Steelers are 0-2 without Watt, a streak they will try to break Sunday when they play the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium.

“I think we’re close,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “I’d like it better if I didn’t have to find that answer, but we’re continuing to work and continuing to improve. … We have some guys who are getting opportunities here. I think we’re a little closer in that regards, but it will all show out on Sundays.”

The numbers have been staggering this season without Watt in the lineup. With Watt on the field until the final seconds of regulation in the opener at Cincinnati, the Steelers totaled seven sacks and five turnovers. In losses to New England and Cleveland, the Steelers combined for two sacks and one turnover.

“I feel like we’re getting better every game even though our record doesn’t show that right now,” said outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who had 1 1/2 sacks against the Browns and leads the NFL with 4 1/2. “We made a lot of corrections this week. We’re excited to get out there.”

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed has started in Watt’s place the past two weeks and totaled six tackles, one quarterback hit and no sacks in those games. The Steelers also have experimented with deploying one outside linebacker and pairing him with three inside linebackers or using rookie defensive end DeMarvin Leal on the edge.

The challenge for the defense is finding a way to rush the passer and create pressure without it exposing the edge or the running lanes up the middle. A week after the Patriots ran out the final 6 minutes, 33 seconds, the Steelers gave up a season-high 171 rushing yards to the Browns. The Jets will bring mobile second-year quarterback Zach Wilson and the young running back tandem of Michael Carter and Breece Hall to Acrisure Stadium.

“For me, I look at it as I have to step up,” Heyward said. “I have to be a better player on the field. It’s not me replacing T.J. It’s my technique that has to be a lot better. I think every player should look to do that. Every player should look toward raising their level when you’ve got guys out.”

In order to address the run defense, coach Mike Tomlin moved veteran Tyson Alualu to the second team and replaced him with Montravius Adams at nose tackle. The Steelers also could be without another starter Sunday if cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon doesn’t return from a hamstring injury. Witherspoon missed a second day of practice Thursday.

“Losing a starter on defense is going to be hard on any position,” safety Terrell Edmunds said. “Injuries come up, and we have other guys that are working hard. We just have to help them out the best way we can.”

That’s particularly challenging when the player in question has accumulated as much hardware as Watt, a three-time first-team All-Pro selection and a four-time Pro Bowl pick in addition to being named the league‘s top defensive player in 2021.

For the Steelers, a win without Watt can’t come soon enough.

“T.J. Watt is going to be playing football for a long time,” Heyward said. “At one time, he will retire, and we’re going to have to play football without him. … There are going to be different players always playing. It’s opportunities for guys to step up. We have to be excited about those opportunities. If you can turn it into a positive and can bring a guy like T.J. back, it only adds to your group.”