On the day he withdrew from participating in the Pro Bowl games because of injury, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt again was named a finalist for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award.
Watt is not considered to be a front-runner to win the award.
Watt, who won the award in 2021, is among five finalists who were announced Thursday in conjunction with the NFL and AP.
The award will be issued Feb. 6 at the NFL Honors program in New Orleans, site of the Super Bowl.
The front-runner to win the award is Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who was named the league’s top defensive player Wednesday by the Professional Football Writers of America. Other finalists are Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who edged Watt for the award last season, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun.
Watt will be replaced in the Pro Bowl games by Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Kyle Van Noy.
Watt finished third in AP voting in 2019 and second in 2020 before he won the award in 2021 when he tied the NFL single-season sacks record.
Watt finished with 11 1/2 sacks this season, finishing six behind NFL leader Hendrickson. Watt was held without a sack in the final three games of the regular season and in the wild-card playoff loss at Baltimore.
