Many Steelers fans are trying to separate the bad news about T.J. Watt’s injury Sunday from the thrilling overtime win in Cincinnati.
Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X isn’t buying that.
“If Watt is out, the season is over,” Madden said in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast.
The recovery from a pectoral injury can last 3 to 4 months. Some say that recovery after surgery for a torn pec could be at least six months. Although, Watt’s brother, J.J., tore a pec in 2019 and returned in two months.
Even that generous scenario puts T.J. Watt on the shelf through roughly Week 9.
“They won the battle in Cincinnati, and they lost the war,” Madden said. “The only reason they hung in the game and eventually won it was because the defense was brilliant and made up for how bad the offense was, and how bad the offensive line was, in particular. And if T.J. Watt — who had a great game (Sunday) — is out for the season, I don’t see how anyone can say the ‘next man up’ b.s. that the Steelers like to promulgate.”
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• T.J. Watt’s injury to likely leave Steelers relying on ‘next man up,’ newcomer Malik Reed
The “next man up” is recently acquired Malik Reed, formerly of the Denver Broncos. Or it could be recently reacquired Jamir Jones. Those two players combined for three tackles Sunday.
“In losing Watt, they are losing their best player,” Madden said. “How many teams in this league could lose their best player and still hope to achieve what was projected of them prior? Let alone the Steelers, who would have to overachieve what was projected of them to make the playoffs.”
To Madden’s point, the Steelers projected over-under win total at most gambling outlets was set at 7.5. It’s going to be difficult for the Steelers to get to eight wins without Watt for the rest of the season — or even if his stint on the injured list is only eight more games.
“Only.”
Also, in the podcast, Madden and I talk about the Steelers’ offensive struggles en route to the team’s 23-20 overtime win. We discuss Baker Mayfield’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, Pitt’s overtime loss to Tennessee and Albert Pujols hitting home run No. 697 in PNC Park.
