PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers took some heat for outside linebacker T.J. Watt being diagnosed with a concussion days after the team’s loss to the New England Patriots. Watt was reportedly placed in concussion protocol the day after the team’s game after arriving at the facility and reporting symptoms. Once the news broke, NFL
analyst Warren Sharp compared the situation to the Miami Dolphins last season with Tua Tagovaola and blasted Pittsburgh for not checking Watt’s symptoms sooner and ignoring them once they did.
Watt was hit with a knee during the opening drive of the game by Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott. He came off to the sideline, where trainers briefly checked his mouth and jaw. Later in the game, he went into the medical tent with the NFL’s concussion observer but was never diagnosed. Sharp even pointed out that the Steelers provided Watt with a dark visor during the game. He typically warms up with the same visor on.
Watt and running mate Alex Highsmith are currently in concussion protocol heading into Week 15. They’ll need to clear protocol before this week’s game. Otherwise, Pittsburgh will start Markus Golden and rookie Nick Herbig at outside linebacker.
