The Pittsburgh Steelers are languishing with a 2-4 record, and head coach Mike Tomlin’s record streak of consecutive winning seasons is in some real jeopardy right now.
One of the reasons they are struggling is because T.J. Watt, their uber-talented pass rusher, has been out with a pectoral injury he suffered in Week 1.
It has been widely expected that he won’t return until sometime in November, especially since he also had arthroscopic knee surgery recently, but he may have hinted on his Instagram account that he could come back sooner than that.
It’s almost Watt time🫡 @_TJWatt
TJ Watt just a few moments ago on Instagram ⬇️#HereWeGo #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/vxQxp6eZFC
— Everything Burgh⚫️🟡 (@EverythingBurgh) October 19, 2022
Watt isn’t just an outstanding outside linebacker, but he’s considered by many to be the best pass rusher in the NFL.
He has led the league in sacks and tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons, and last year he put up a monster 22.0 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 39 quarterback hits and seven passes defended.
The way T.J. Watt completely took over here was the real-life equivalent of getting gamebreaker in the old NFL Street games.
Major win for the Steelers if he can come back sometime in October. pic.twitter.com/PMXhvJZozD
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) September 13, 2022
Because of his injury, it looks like his three-year streak of making the All-Pro First Team is about to come to an end.
Pittsburgh’s defense has suffered without him, as it ranks in the bottom third of the league in a number of key defensive categories.
Just two years ago, it was third in points and yards allowed.
The Steelers gave up 38 points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 (while scoring only three points themselves), and in a Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, they surrendered 29 points to a team that has Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.
Pittsburgh’s ray of hope is the fact that it has a relatively easy schedule through the end of the season, which could allow it to rack up enough wins to avoid the indignity of a losing record.
It is coming off an unexpected win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which it allowed just 18 points, so perhaps Steelers fans shouldn’t be too worried right now.
NEXT: Mike Tomlin Comments On Sticking With Kenny Pickett