It’s official: T.J. Watt is out until at least mid-October.
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed their star outside linebacker on the injured reserve list Thursday, making room on the 53-man roster to bring in rookie David Anenih. Anenih was signed off the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad.
Under IR rules modified for the 2022 season as the NFL emerges from temporary rules inspired by the covid-19 pandemic, players on IR must miss at least four games. That means, beginning Sunday, the Steelers will face the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills without Watt, who last year tied the NFL record for sacks in a season with 22 ½.
It should be noted, though, that four games is only a minimum, so there is no guarantee Watt will be cleared to return in time for the Steelers’ sixth game, at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 16. Following that, the Steelers have games at the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles before their idle week that comes in the middle of their season.
Related
• NFL injured reserve rules, explainedWatt suffered a pectoral injury during the Steelers’ season-opening 23-20 overtime win at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Now in his sixth NFL season, Watt never has missed consecutive games. Watt missed a career-high two games last season and has not played in only four games over the past five seasons.
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