T.J. Watt Not Activated From IR, Out vs. Eagles

The Steelers will not activate T.J. Watt from injured reserve and the star outside linebacker is will not play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Saturday.

Watt has not played since Week 1 when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle against the Cincinnati Bengals. He then underwent knee surgery while on injured reserve, pushing his time line back a few weeks.

With Watt still out, it is likely that Watt will return against the New Orleans Saints after the bye week. It is expected that Malik Reed and Alex Highsmith will start, with Jamir Jones and Ryan Anderson taking most of the rotational snaps.

Reed knows that Watt wants to get out on the football field as quickly as he can, however. Reed has seen Watt itching to get back onto the football field right away.

“I know he’s itching, itching to get back,” Reed said. “He’s been out for this extended length of time. He’s got a lot of energy and he’s excited.”

Watt’s return would cone with a much needed breath of air into the team’s pass rush. They are on pace to only register 29 sacks, which would be their worst mark since 1988.

Larry Ogunjobi will miss Sunday’s game as well, thus with Watt still on the shelf, the Steelers will hope they can slow down Jalen Hurts and the potent Eagles rushing attack shorthanded.