The Steelers were already without Alex Highsmith. Now, they will be without superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt on Sunday as well. Watt was listed as questionable, but has been downgraded to out according to the team.
#Steelers LB T.J. Watt (groin) has been downgraded to OUT for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) September 25, 2021
The loss of Watt signals that the Steelers will now be without four of their five starters on the base defensive line on Sunday. With Highsmith already out in addition to Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu, the Steelers will have to roger up all the pass rush and depth they can from this team.
With Watt out, it now means that both Melvin Ingram and Jamir Jones will start. Jones will be receiving his first career start, while Ingram is off to a blistering start, registering twelve pressures through two games up to this point.
The Steelers also added Taco Charlton this week to the practice squad. It would not be a surprise to see Charlton and Derrek Tuszka both be elevated so that the Steelers have a semblance of depth and a rotation off the edge for this game.
Watt will join Highsmith, Diontae Johnson, and Carlos Davis on the sideline of those who have been ruled out. Joe Haden, Devin Bush, and Ben Roethlisberger are no longer listed on the injury report and are expected to play.