INJURY UPDATE: Pittsburgh Steelers Activate 1 Key Player Ahead of Packers Clash – Superstar Lineup Finally Complete.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – October 24, 2025
For nearly a decade, T.J. Watt has been the beating heart of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense — a generational talent who embodies the toughness and tradition of the black and gold. Since being drafted in the first round of 2017, Watt has built a résumé that cements him among the greatest defenders in franchise history: four-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, when he tied Michael Strahan’s all-time record with 22.5 sacks. With over 90 career sacks to his name, Watt has become the modern face of the Steelers’ legendary Steel Curtain.
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But ahead of the Steelers’ Week 8 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium, the team received concerning news — T.J. Watt has suffered a hip injury during midweek practice. Initially listed as taking a “veteran rest day,” Watt was later added to the official injury report on Thursday as a limited participant. The team has not disclosed the severity of the injury, but insiders say the issue could affect his explosiveness and rotational movement — two key components of his dominance as an edge rusher.
Still, Watt’s message to the media after practice struck an emotional chord with Steelers fans everywhere:
“I don’t know exactly how my body’s going to feel on Sunday, but what I do know is this — I’m going to play like it’s my last game. I wear this jersey with pride, and I’ll never let my teammates fight alone.”
Those words captured what Steelers football has always stood for — resilience, loyalty, and grit.
Even if Watt plays through pain, the team is expected to adjust its defensive rotation, giving Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith more snaps to help manage his workload. But make no mistake — Watt’s presence, leadership, and fire remain the emotional core of this team.
And if No. 90 does take the field under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, the world may once again witness not just one of the league’s best defenders, but a warrior — a man fighting through pain to honor the city and team he loves.
