Steelers’ T.J. Watt: ‘We did everything the right way’ in assessing his head injury
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T.J. Watt was, as he put it, “feeling great” Thursday, enough so that he pronounced himself “ready to go” for Saturday’s game.
But when Watt’s mood changed was when he was asked about the procedures he and Pittsburgh Steelers personnel followed during last week’s game after Watt absorbed a knee to his facemask.
“I went through all the steps possible,” Watt said of NFL protocols in regards to possible head injuries, “and it felt like we did everything the right way.”
Watt practiced fully for a second consecutive day Thursday, a day after he was removed from league concussion protocol. That left him officially cleared to play in Saturday’s game at the Indianapolis Colts, per the injury report.
Watt briefly explained his view of how things went for him after he needed attention from training personnel after the knee of New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott struck Watt in the head.
“Got hit, went into the tent (for evaluation for a concussion), got cleared,” Watt said after Thursday’s practice. “And then came in the next day and had stuff going on (symptoms), so as (released by the team) went into protocol, then (Wednesday) got cleared from protocol. Today, I feel great.”
Steelers TJ Watt on taking that hit to the face last week and entering concussion protocol the next day pic.twitter.com/q4F2FILMfT
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 14, 2023
Watt missed only six snaps during the Steelers’ 21-18 loss.
Some fans and observers watching the game on Amazon Prime pointed to circumstantial evidence that Watt or the Steelers somehow cheated concussion protocol, citing such details as Watt receiving smelling salts or him using a tinted visor on his helmet later in the game.
Watt seemed agitated about queries into such specifics. He pointed out that he’s worn a visor — sometimes, a tinted one — at various points throughout his career for games, practices or pregame warm-ups. He also insinuated that smelling salts regularly are administered during NFL games.
“We can break down every little thing that I do,” Watt said. “I think it’s funny how things get caught on camera when you could do some things other times that aren’t on camera. So I am not going to get into the all the specifics and into a debate about it. I am focused on this week and the Colts.”
Watt has not missed a game this season. He is second in the league in sacks with 14 in 13 games.
“Definitely a sigh of relief (Watt is playing), because he is our Superman in our defense,” veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson said. “That’s just the truth, you know? When we have ‘90’ on the field, we’re just that much better. I feel like it just makes us that much more dynamic and easier to get to the ball.”
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