When the Steelers take the field Sunday against Cincinnati, they will be doing so with out All-Pro defensive end T.J. Watt who was officially downgraded to out with a groin injury.
Watt suffered the injury last weekend against Las Vegas in the second quarter of an eventual loss to the Raiders. He was able to participate in practice on a limited basis on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the Steelers elected holding Watt out was the best decision long term both for he and the team.
Watt was on the record as stating he wanted to play this weekend and given his participation it seemed as though that was likely as of Friday, but at the end of the day it's a 17-game season and it's better to have a player like Watt take a game off rather than tweak it again and have a lingering issue for the remainder of the season.
With Watt ruled out, it's another hit to a depleted Pittsburgh defense that's suffered a rash of groin injuries of late with Devin Bush, Joe Haden and Alex Highsmith joining the aforementioned Watt. Bush and Haden were full participants later this week in practice, but Highsmith isn't quite that lucky.
With both Watt and Highsmith out, the Steelers elevated outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka from their practice squad to help bolster their depth there.
Tuszka, a seventh-round pick of the Broncos in 2020 out of North Dakota State, had six tackles in nine games for Denver last season. Tuszka had 13.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss in 2019 for North Dakota State. Tuszka was signed by the Steelers following his release by the Broncos at the end of training camp in August.
Joining Watt and Highsmith on the sideline this week will be wide receiver Diontae Johnson who suffered a knee injury on the final play of the game against the Raiders last week.
With Johnson also ailing, the Steelers elevated wide receiver Cody White from their practice squad. White has been with the Steelers on their practice squad the past two seasons.
Both Tuszka and White will revert back to the team's practice squad Monday without having to clear waivers.
