After the first day of training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced linebacker T.J. Watt on the Physically Unable to Perform list. According to head coach Mike Tomlin, Watt completed his conditioning test but felt some tightness in his hamstring and so the team will start him on the PUP list while he is evaluated further.
Tomlin gave no timetable for Watt’s time on the list but there’s obviously no rush for Watt to get on the field. This feels very precautionary but we’d much rather see the Steelers play it safe with their best defensive player.
Watt had a career-high 13 sacks in 2018 in only his second season in the league.
The Steelers will have their first full practice of training camp on Friday. With Watt on the sidelines, it should give guys like Anthony Chickillo, Ola Adeniyi and Ulysees Gilbert III some additional reps along with starter Bud Dupree.
