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As discouraging as the injury news was for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Monday brings a renewed hope of player availability moving forward. As previously reported, Diontae Johnson is believed to have not sustained a significant injury to his knee as the injury should be more of the short-term variety than that of something which jeopardizes his 2021 season.
In other positive news, it has been reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who exited with a groin injury in the first half of the Steelers Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, may be available in Week 3 and does not believe it to be a major injury which would keep him out multiple games.
#Steelers LB TJ Watt, knocked out with a groin injury, has a chance to play this Sunday, I’m told. A good sign that — regardless of if he plays or not — it’s not a major injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2021
It is a much-welcomed report for the return of T.J. Watt as his presence was missed in the second half of Week 2. On the season, Watt already has three sacks through six quarters of play as well as two forced fumbles. While it is hopeful Watt can rejoin the team this Sunday in the Steelers first AFC North matchup of the 2021 season, knowing how soft tissue injuries can linger is something both Watt and the Steelers will want to monitor in order to make sure the likelihood of a re-aggravation is minimized.
On Sunday, the injury news was not of the positive variety as it was reported nose tackle Tyson Alualu will be missing significant time which could be the entire 2021 NFL season.
The other two players who missed Sunday’s game with groin injuries, Devin Bush and Joe Haden, do not have a report as to the severity of their injuries at this time. It was reported Joe Haden did participate in warmups on Sunday in order to test his injury to see if he could play in Week 2. An update on these players is expected from head coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday during his regularly scheduled weekly press conference at 12 PM at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for breaking news, player updates, and injury reports as the Steelers move forward to prepare to take on the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday at Heinz Field.
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