T.J. Watt, Joe Haden will not play for Steelers, but Chase Claypool to return
Mike Tomlin said he’d “leave the light on” for T.J. Watt. On Friday, though, that switch officially was flipped.
Watt will not play for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night at the Los Angeles Chargers. The star outside linebacker did not practice throughout the week after suffering a hip/knee injury during Sunday’s tie against the Detroit Lions.
Sunday will be the second game Watt will miss this season — he did not play Sept. 26 against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a groin injury.
Another veteran Steelers defensive standout will miss a game for a second time this season, too. Cornerback Joe Haden is out because of a foot injury. He missed the Week 2 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders because of a groin ailment.
The Steelers on defense also are expected to be without All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is on the NFL’s covid-19 list.
Taco Charlton will play in place of Watt, James Pierre will serve as a starting outside cornerback in Haden’s stead and Tre Norwood is likely the most-utilized fill-in at free safety in place of Fitzpatrick.
Where the Steelers’ defensive depth will be tested most is in the nickel and dime. Arthur Maulet, Justin Layne, Ahkello Witherspoon and Miles Killebrew are the only available options on the 53-man roster (assuming Fitzpatrick can’t play) in the secondary after Pierre, starting cornerback Cameron Sutton and starting strong safety Terrell Edmunds.
Former West Virginia standout safety Karl Joseph is the most likely call-up from the practice squad should the Steelers choose to go that route for reinforcements.
Another absence on defense will be rookie defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk, who apparently suffered a groin injury during Thursday’s practice. He did not participate Friday, leaving the Steelers even more thin at a position in which three players are on injured reserve.
There was better injury news Friday on offense. Wide receiver Chase Claypool was anointed as able to return to action after missing last week’s game because of a toe injury, and starting right guard Trai Turner likewise was cleared to play Sunday after he’d left the Lions game because of an ankle injury.
Starting left guard Kevin Dotson, though, was ruled out after sitting out the full week of practice.
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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.
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