In his first game back from a pectoral injury, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt made an immediate impact at the expense of New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton.
Back in Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. But during the win, star linebacker T.J. Watt suffered a torn pectoral muscle that forced him out of the game late. Luckily for the Steelers, he did not need to undergo surgery, and instead worked his way back until his eventual return in Week 10.
In the team’s home game against the New Orleans Saints, Watt received a hero’s welcome at Acrisure Stadium, and he made his presence felt on the team’s opening drive.
Watt managed to get through not one, but two players off the edge and chased down Saints quarterback Andy Dalton, who ran forward. Dalton stood no chance, as Watt caught up with him for the tackle.
Steelers: T.J. Watt makes impact in first game since Week 1
Did the Steelers ever miss Watt for the previous seven games.
Watt suffered the aforementioned pectoral muscle injury late in the fourth quarter of their season opening game, where he then missed all of overtime. Since he didn’t tear the pectoral tendon, Watt needed approximately six weeks of rehab to return.
He was designated to return off the injured reserve ahead of the team’s Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Watt was officially activated off the IR this past week, and revealed that he would make his return on Sunday against the Saints.
With the Steelers sitting with a 2-6 record, the hope is that Watt can help propel the team to some wins for the latter half of the season.