On Friday Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt left the door “ open ” in terms of his chances of playing on Sunday vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. Less than 24 hours late the team slammed that door closed, with Steelers Director of Communications Burt Lauten delivering the news program via chitter :
# Steelers LB T.J. Watt ( breakwater ) has been downgraded to OUT for Sunday ‘s game against the Cincinnati Bengals .
— Burt Lauten ( @ SteelersPRBurt ) September 25, 2021
Watt suffered a groin injury during the second quarter of concluding Sunday ’ s home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He was limited in exercise throughout this past week.
Alex Highsmith Also Ruled Out
With sophomore outside linebacker Alex Highsmith previously ruled out with his groin injury, the Steelers will be starting backups at both boundary positions. On one side will be veteran barren agent acquisition Melvin Ingram III, 32, a three-time Pro Bowler who remains a identical effective elapse rusher and run stopper but can be promptly exposed in pass coverage. On the other side, former undrafted free agent Jamir Jones will be making his beginning NFL start, with precisely 16 defensive snaps under his knock to this distributor point in his career. Jones has come a long way since the spring, when he was ( re ) discovered by Steelers general director Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin at Notre Dame ’ south 2021 Pro Day. By signing with the Steelers, Jones was able to escape working 9-to-5, having been employed by Champs Sports and other retail establishments .
Who Will Back Up Melvin Ingram and Jamir Jones?
On Saturday afternoon the Steelers elevated Derrek Tuszka from the rehearse team to the active roll, so he figures to serve as the primary backup at outside linebacker. The Steelers besides have former first-round choice Taco Charlton on the practice team. But Charlton was signed on Sept. 21 and may not be ready to serve as a depth option for another workweek or two. famously, Charlton was selected No. 28 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft, two spots before the Steelers drafted T.J. Watt. But he has experienced modest achiever in the NFL, particularly as compared to Watt. Charlton is already on his fourth team, having played two years with the Cowboys, one season with the Miami Dolphins and seven games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. According to Pro Football Reference, he has 44 games of NFL know ( 12 starts ), and has recorded 74 sum tackles with 11 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles.
meanwhile, Watt has developed into a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate and is now the highest pay defender in the league. The latest Steelers news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Steelers newsletter here!
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Mike Hilton Returns to Heinz Field
Sunday ’ sulfur game ( Sept. 26, 1 p.m. ET ) will be the first clock time that erstwhile Steelers slot cornerback Mike Hilton will be going against his old teammates. Hilton signed a four-year, $ 24 million condense with the Bengals in March 2021. Earlier this workweek, he revealed his picks for the top methamphetamine talkers on the Steelers. Cincinnati ’ s active roll besides features former Steelers offensive tackle Fred Johnson, who is the accompaniment at right tackle. The Bengals claimed Johnson when the Steelers waived him in October 2019, and he has since appeared in 18 games for Cincinnati. besides, Cincinnati recently added former Steelers guard Sean Davis to its practice police squad, barely one day after Davis had his contract terminated by the Colts.
Both teams come into the AFC North confrontation with 1-1 records. interim, the Browns ( 1-1 ) will be hosting the Chicago Bears, while the Ravens ( 1-1 ) play the Lions in Detroit. Follow the Heavy on Steelers Facebook page for the latest break news, rumors and content !
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