T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden spent Sunday night out of the lineup and in the company of each other via their cell phones.
It was a group text filled with mixed emotions, moments of joy and disgust, and ultimately frustration as the Steelers fell short in their comeback bid, losing 41-37 to the Chargers in Los Angeles.
The absence of all three defenders was glaring as Pittsburgh allowed a season-high 533 yards and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert continuously broke containment while rushing for 90 yards.
“It sucks texting Minkah and Joe all last game because you see all the effort guys are giving and trying to spark the team with guys like Cam Sutton and Cam Heyward,” Watt said Friday. “It sucks when you know you could help, but I just wasn't healthy enough to help. It's a helpless feeling, but at the same time it's more motivation to get back and get healthy as quick as possible so I can start impacting games again."
It appears the next time Watt, Fitzpatrick and Haden chat during a game it will be in person and on the field this Sunday. Watt and Fitzpatrick look to be good bets to accompany the Steelers (5-4-1) to Cincinnati for a crucial AFC North showdown against the Bengals (6-4). Haden has a chance, as well.
Both Watt (knee/hip) and Fitzpatrick (Covid-19) were listed as full participants on Friday’s injury report. Haden (foot) was a limited practice participant, and is considered questionable, but he too seems to be trending in the right direction.
Fitzpatrick, sidelined for the first time in his career last Sunday, described the surreal experience of communicating electronically with two teammates while the rest of the club was playing.
“We were all texting, all three of us are competitors, and we were all just talking about how crazy it is just being at home while your boys are out there in LA,” the safety said.
His replacement, Tre Norwood, was victimized on the 53-yard, game-winning touchdown pass from Herbert to Mike Williams. Playing without their top safety, most experienced cornerback and best edge rusher was too much to ask of the depleted Steelers’ defense.
The good news for Fitzpatrick is he feels healthy and strong coming off a bout with coronavirus. Headaches were the most bothersome symptom, he said, and really the only one that plagued him.
“When you've got 10 days you're not able to work out, you think you’d be in not great shape, but I came back (Thursday) for my first practice and I felt fine,” Fitzpatrick said. “There were no struggles running, no struggles breathing, nothing like that. I feel good.”
Watt has missed four career games, and the Steelers have lost them all, including a 24-10 verdict to the Bengals on Sept. 26. Despite sitting out two games this season, he still ranks second in sacks (12.5), trailing only Myles Garrett (13.0).
The edge rusher said he feels better almost two weeks after being forced to leave the game against the Lions with hip and knee ailments.
“I just got rolled up weird,” Watt said. “My knee felt a little unstable at the time. (I) went to get up, and when I got up I realized I had a lot of discomfort in my hip and couldn't really reach over head and a lot of stuff. . . . Luckily, it wasn't anything too serious and I feel a lot better this week.”
Watching his team lose to the Chargers was not the most emotional part of Watt’s evening.
He was stunned and saddened to learn of the tragic events in his hometown of Waukesha, Wis., where a man diving an SUV barreled through a crowd of holiday parade marchers and pedestrians, killing six and injuring 62 others.
“My dad was a firefighter in that community for 28 years,” Watt said. “He's been in that parade multiple times and my fiancé went to middle school right on that same street. Very tragic news when we found out. Very gutted for everybody involved and everyone who saw and witnessed everything that happened. We had family there, but luckily none of them were hurt. Our hearts go out to all the people affected.”
Watt’s brother, Derek, and Steelers’ linebacker Joe Schobert are also from the same area.
Getting back into a routine should help them deal with the dreadful news. For T.J. Watt, the focus is on the Bengals’ offense and Joe Mixon, the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher (759 yards, nine touchdowns). Mixon ran for 90 yards in the first meeting against the Steelers.
“I think even their offensive line is much improved from what we've been used to seeing these past couple of years,” Watt said of the Bengals. “They have a good right tackle matchup for me and they can run the ball. Joe Mixon's a really good running back.”
The Steelers will welcome the pressure Watt can apply to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, and any additional help from defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk (groin), who also missed the game in Los Angeles.
In the first meeting at Heinz Field, Bengals rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught four passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Chase hasn’t been as explosive in recent weeks after posting totals of 159 and 201 yards receiving, but Fitzpatrick is wary of his playmaking ability.
“I rewatched our game last night,” Fitzpatrick said. “I was watching, and it just got me fired up. It’s a great, talented team and he’s a great player, but anybody who scores on us twice, it doesn't happen often. It gets you fired up for those games.”
What’s not firing up Fitzpatrick or his teammates — at least publicly — are the comments from Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd after the last game. A day after Cincinnati’s 24-10 win, the former Pitt standout told the media that the Steelers appeared to have quit at the end of the game.
Neither Watt nor Fitzpatrick would get drawn into a discussion about Boyd’s remarks.
“Nah, that just sounds nice after a ‘W,’” Fitzpatrick said. “We ain't worried about what he said.”
The Steelers are just happy to getting closer to full strength as they begin their push for the postseason.
THE INJURY REPORT
STEELERS
Offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer (pectoral) and tight end Eric Ebron (knee) are the only Steelers on the active roster being ruled out for Sunday’s game.
MORE TO COME