Steelers Give Bad Update on Edge Rusher T.J. Watt Ahead of Packers Matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly included center Zach Frazier on their injury report to begin this week. But more bad news arrived for the Steelers with T.J. Watt on Thursday.
The team added the All-Pro edge rusher to the injury report. Watt was limited in practice Thursday.
Watt didn’t practice at all Wednesday, but the Steelers had the edge rusher listed as out because of a veteran rest day. According to the team’s Thursday injury report, Watt is dealing with a hip issue.
There isn’t a lot of other information on Watt’s injury.
“It’s not clear when the injury occurred or how it might impact his status for Sunday’s Week 8 home game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football,” wrote Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders. “Head coach Mike Tomlin did not mention him in his rundown of Steelers injuries on Tuesday.
“Watt usually speaks with the media on Fridays before Sunday games.”
There should be more details on Watt’s injury Friday. Not only will he likely speak to the media, the Steelers will update his game status for Week 8.
The Steelers will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
Steelers’ T.J. Watt Dealing With Hip Injury
The Steelers haven’t been able to find a lot of consistency on defense this season. The unit appeared to be getting better before Week 7. But then last Thursday, the Steelers gave up 33 points and 470 yards to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The last thing the Steelers need is one of their defensive captains and All-Pro edge rushers to be less than 100%.
Watt’s hip, though, could explain why he isn’t off to a better start this season. The four-time first-team All-Pro has 25 combined tackles, including five tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, four pass defenses. Watt also has an interception and forced fumble.
Those are good numbers. However, he only had four sacks in six games.
Again, to be clear, it’s not for certain that Watt has been dealing with his hip problem since the beginning of the season. Before Thursday, the edge rusher had not been on the injury report other than for rest days.
Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks two years ago. Last season, he had 11.5 sacks and led the league with six forced fumbles.
Steelers Have Edge Rushing Depth to Overcome Loss of Watt
In years past, losing Watt has been devastating for the Steelers. Not that the franchise would be alright losing the All-Pro, but the team is probably better equipped now than ever to replace him.
In addition to Watt, the Steelers have Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig in their edge rushing room. Highsmith and Herbig have six combined sacks.
Herbig leads the team with 4.5 sacks.
The Steelers received criticism for not playing Herbig a lot against the Bengals. He could see more playing time in Week 8 even if Watt is active.
Herbig also leads the Steelers with six tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. He has two pass defenses, a forced fumble and interception as well.
Colts Named Landing Spot For Pro Bowl Defensive Back
The Indianapolis Colts have numerous injuries to their secondary this season, specifically the cornerbacks.
Third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Justin Walley, tore his ACL in training camp, forcing him to miss his rookie season. Xavien Howard, who was signed to help with the depleted CB group, retired after Week 4. $54 million signing Charvarius Ward was placed on injured reserve after a concussion during a pregame injury in Week 6.
Nickel cornerback Kenny Moore missed multiple games this season with a calf injury, but has returned to the team.
With the injuries, the Colts are left without a proper CB1 in the secondary. The team still has the best record in the league, but it could soon dwindle with an injured cornerback group.
An NFL analyst names Indianapolis as a “logical landing spot” for a Pro Bowl cornerback that could provide immediate help for the 6-1 team.
Trading For Cornerback
GettySeattle Seahawks CB Riq Woolen
Charvarius Ward signed with the Indianapolis Colts to shadow the opposing team’s primary receiver. Without Ward out for four weeks, it creates a big hole in the Colts’ defense.
CBS Sports Cody Benjamin names the Indianapolis as a team who are a fit for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen.
“Once tabbed as one of the NFL’s top up-and-coming cornerbacks, Woolen is no longer a fearsome member of Seattle’s defense. He showed early in his career he can parlay his big frame (6-foot-4) into elite ball production, however, and you can bet that a handful of teams would be willing to plug him in as a high-upside move for the future. The former Pro Bowler is still just 26,” Benjamin wrote.
Woolen was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season with the Seahawks after logging six interceptions, 16 pass deflections and 63 total tackles. His performance in his rookie season placed him third in the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award voting.
In his next two seasons, the cornerback has registered five interceptions, 25 pass deflections and 99 tackles. Woolen hasn’t recorded an interception in the 2025 season yet, but has three pass deflections.
The Seahawks’ cornerback hasn’t returned to his rookie Pro Bowl level, but could achieve it with a change of scenery.
Tariq Woolen In Indy
GettySeattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen
The Indianapolis Colts need immediate help at the cornerback position with Ward on IR for at least another three weeks.
Trading for Tariq Woolen shouldn’t be too much of an issue with the player in the final year of his rookie contract.
Indianapolis would most likely have to give up a third-round pick or an early-day three pick for the former UTSA Roadrunner.
Woolen would provide the Colts immediate assistance to their injured cornerback room and should get quality playing time when Ward returns to the team.
The player could have a bounce-back season playing for the Colts, with a high contract offer waiting for him in the offseason.
