Report: Steelers' T.J. Watt has surgery on knee, could be out longer
T.J. Watt had arthroscopic knee surgery, which could extend the Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker’s stay on injured reserve, according to an ESPN report Saturday night.
Watt was placed on injured reserve after the season opener with a pectoral injury, and he isn’t eligible to return until after the Steelers play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y.
ESPN reported the knee surgery, which was done to clean up a lingering issue from the preseason, would delay Watt’s return by a week or two. It’s possible Watt might not return now until after the team’s bye in Week 9.
The Steelers are 0-3 this season without Watt, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and are 0-7 lifetime when Watt doesn’t dress for a game.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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