Steelers Ripped For Decision During TJ Watt's Concussion

Pittsburgh Steelers Are Taking Major Heat For Putting Superstar T.J. Watt At Serious Risk During TNF Game vs. Patriots

December 10, 2023, 12:47pm ESTBy Darrelle Lincoln

TJ Watt in uniform — PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Acrisure Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

NFL fans are worried about Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt and blasting his team for a decision they made on Thursday night.

Watt was placed in concussion protocol Saturday, just two days after the Steelers’ 21—18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday Night Football. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year suffered what appeared to be a head injury after taking a knee to the head on the first drive.

TJ Watt is in concussion protocol, per Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten. He came in yesterday morning experiencing symptoms.

Watt must be cleared by the independent neurologist before he can return to play. Steelers play next at Colts a week from today.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 9, 2023

In order to return to play for the Steelers’ next game, he must be cleared by an independent neurologist.

Watt was injured on the first defensive snap of Thursday night’s game when Ezekiel Elliott’s knee struck him in the head and although he would miss several snaps, he would soon return to the field with a tinted visor and finished out the game. That is a huge problem since light sensitivity is a common concussion symptom.

TJ Watt took a knee to the face on the very first snap of the game, came back in that drive, later returned with a black visor and was looked at on the sideline quite a bit after the initial blow. Also did not go to the podium postgame like he usually does, and was slated to do. https://t.co/I9Tx7fjS3y pic.twitter.com/AXEfwxx2oa
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) December 9, 2023

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NFL fans were concerned after cameras caught Watt taking smelling salts on the sideline and returning to the game wearing a tinted visor. After the news of Watt’s placement into protocol emerged Saturday, fans were outraged that the five-time Pro Bowler seemingly was allowed to play despite signs that he may have suffered a concussion.

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TJ Watt during the Patriots game. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/51H6cHKjNX
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 9, 2023

The Steelers should be fined for how they handled the TJ Watt concussion. He clearly had a concussion (dark visor, eyes squinting, goes down after hit to head) and they let him play the rest of the game.
— Sam Vanderburg (@samvanderburg99) December 10, 2023

This is absurd. He didn't lead with helmet or hit Terrell in his. Sucks the result was a concussion, but Hall did nothing wrong. @NFL should be more concerned with how TJ Watt got back in Thursday's game, but needed a visor and ended up in concussion protocol on Friday. https://t.co/UHjg1kUBAP
— NJ Amazins 🇵🇷🇺🇦 (@AngelAmazins) December 10, 2023

If any healthcare professional saw that play, how Watt reacted just after, then need a visor on the helmet with a developing headache and decides he should keep playing should have their license pulled!!
— EdBski (@edbski) December 10, 2023

Are they going to investigate the Steelers sending TJ Watt back into a game with a tinted visor when he clearly didn’t clear protocol?
— Ryan Rooney (@phil_knights) December 10, 2023

Has Florio made a fuss about TJ Watt being let back in a game where he took a knee to the chin then another to the side of his face, needed to
change to a tinted visor, and on the sideline with smelling salts
— Upper Moon None (@SeanSTX) December 10, 2023

At the moment I saw the dark visor, I said that TJ Watt had a concussion. (There is literally no other explanation for the addition of the dark visor since it was a night game.) The team and the team doctor(s) knew; they just chose to ignore it. 😡 https://t.co/kThxf3TyLq
— Kristi Tredway, PhD (@KristiTredway) December 10, 2023

The NFL needs to investigate the Steelers for allowing Watt back into the game.

Why did they put the visor on his face mask? Were the lights bothering him because of a concussion?

The symptoms were enough to put him in protocol Friday morning, but not during the game?
— Richard Warrior Christian Jarzynka (@YaZhynka) December 9, 2023

It’s not clear whether Watt demanded to go back into the game or was somehow given the green light to return by team doctors.

Pittsburgh will face off against the Indianapolis Colts next Saturday.

Watt has recorded 37 solo tackles, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception on the season. He became the team’s all-time sack leader in September.