Steelers’ T.J. Watt: ‘The NFL has something… against me’ in regards to no flags on holds of him

Chris Adamski
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 6:31 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 6:31 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt suffered an undisclosed injury during Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Watt expressed frustration at how often he gets held by opposition blockers without any penalties being called.

T.J. Watt was in a foul mood after Sunday’s game. And his team’s stinker of a loss wasn’t the only reason why.

Watt suffered an undisclosed injury during the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-10 defeat to the last-place Arizona Cardinals. When it was suggested to him that he was held by an offensive lineman on the play that caused the injury, Watt had some things to say.

“The NFL has something going against me so I don’t want to talk more negatively towards them,” Watt said.

“I don’t know what I did, but I’ll leave it at that.”

Asked about the play in which he appeared to be injured and whether the holding that appeared to be blatantly taking place contributed to the injury, T.J. Watt fired a shot across the bow of the league. pic.twitter.com/tMTQ8vbhV1

— Chris Mack (@THEChrisMack) December 3, 2023

Play was stopped when Watt needed attention from training personnel after a play with 1 minute, 31 seconds left in the third quarter. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambled for a first down on a play in which Arizona right tackle Paris Johnson had his arm around Watt’s lower neck and upper chest.

Watt ultimately walked off the field under his own power, albeit gingerly. He returned to the game, but multiple times came back out of it before returning again. Watt did not specify during what play he believed he was held.

The play during which Watt suffered his undisclosed injury https://t.co/lPYoS73TAN pic.twitter.com/MJh4Df1Q8Z

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 3, 2023

Earlier in the third quarter, Watt combined with Alex Highsmith for a sack of Murray on Sunday, giving him 14 sacks in 12 games this season. The 2021 NFL defensive player of the year, Watt entered the weekend leading the NFL in sacks, vying for a third league sacks crown since 2020.

Watching film of Watt, opposing tackles appear to often have him grabbed in plays that could be interpreted as holds. That phenomenon seemed to contribute what led to Watt’s frustration Sunday.

Officials did throw two flags for holding on Arizona during Sunday’s game.

Watt’s injury is not believed significant enough to put his availability in question for the Steelers’ next game Thursday against New England. But he did need evaluated in the medical tent on the sideline during the fourth quarter.

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.