Cam Heyward: Block That Injured T.J. Watt Should Be Banned

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was injured while absorbing a legal low block from Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson in Sunday’s preseason finale, a hit that Steelers captain Cam Heyward said he wants taken out of the game.

Heyward said as much on his podcast earlier this preseason after New York Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux was injured by a low block from Cincinnati Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss.

Heyward reiterated those comments after Sunday’s preseason game at Acrisure Stadium, when Watt left the field in the second quarter to have his left knee examined after Hockenson’s low block.

“We’ve cleaned up where the BBs can’t shoot the gap and go at the o-linemen,” Heyward said. “I just think we should work towards player safety in regards to, because it’s a bang-bang play where a tight end goes up and then goes straight for your knees. And he can get a running start out of it.”

Fortunately, Watt’s injury seems to be fairly minor. But the play was eerily similar to the one that caused Thibodeaux to sprain his MCL, an injury that will cost him much of his rookie season.

Heyward, who is the Steelers’ NFLPA player representative, said that he feels the league’s player safety initiates have done a lot for offensive players, but have failed to take steps to protect players on the defensive side of the ball, and the injuries to Thibodeaux and Watt are an example of that.

“You think with all the player safety, I know we’ve done a lot for the offensive players,” Heyward said. “Where’s the help on defense?”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin came under fire for Watt still being the game late in the first half, but Heyward said he feels that those preseason reps are important to his preparation for the season.

“I was all for it,” Heyward said. “Preseason, I don’t get a lot of reps. Preseason, I don’t get a lot of reps, but I want to make the most out of the ones I do get.”