CINCINNATI – Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt left Sunday’s season opener late in regulation because of injury.

The team said Watt has a pec injury and will not return.

Many watching the CBS broadcast of Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals believe Watt mouthed to the bench as he walked off the field, saying “tore (my) pec.”

Several national journalists watching the game on television speculated Watt’s words via posts on verified Twitter accounts.

Torn pectoral muscles, according to published medical reports, can take anywhere from several weeks to 3-4 months to recover from. The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute says the healing and rehab process can take between six months and a year after surgery.

Watt, the NFL’s reigning defensive player of the year, had six tackles, a sack and interception earlier in the game. He was injured while rushing quarterback Joe Burrow.

The game went into overtime soon after Watt left.

Second-year running back Najee Harris also left the game with a foot injury late in the fourth quarter and was ruled out.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)