Steelers latest injury update, Week 15

Things have felt off in Pittsburgh lately, especially in light of two historic losses.  Even Tomlin Tuesdays have been shifted to Monday, with Pittsburgh traveling to Indy to take on the Colts this Saturday instead of Sunday.  Here is what Coach T had to say about where the team stands on the health front: Steelers […]

Rob Gregson NFL News Writer
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Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) celebrate a sack by Watt against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Things have felt off in Pittsburgh lately, especially in light of two historic losses

Even Tomlin Tuesdays have been shifted to Monday, with Pittsburgh traveling to Indy to take on the Colts this Saturday instead of Sunday. 

Here is what Coach T had to say about where the team stands on the health front:

Steelers latest Injury Update, Week 15

  • T.J. Watt: Watt was dinged on the first play from scrimmage against the Patriots, though he was able to finish the contest. Watt would then be placed in concussion protocol, with Coach Tomlin adding that Watt was indeed in the protocol and will be monitored as such. 
  • Alex Highsmith: Highsmith left the Patriots game and didn't return following a neck injury. He too was then placed in concussion protocol, with Coach Tomlin lumping Highsmith's update in with Watt's.
  • Kenny Pickett: Pickett continues to rehab from his ankle surgery, with the timetable set at 2-4 weeks, although it is believed that he will be closer to the latter in terms of his return. On Monday, Coach T added: "Kenny is definitively out."

Observations

Losing just one of the dynamic duo that is T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith would be like attempting to summit a mountain that you can't even scale given Pittsburgh's upcoming matchup against a 7-6 Colts team that is also entrenched in the playoff race. 

The concussion protocol is dependent on the evaluators of both Watt and Highsmith, meaning no matter how good they feel, or how bad they want to play, they are at the discretion of the medical staff. 

We'll see how the week plays out.