The groin injury that knocked T.J. Watt out of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 36-28 loss in Minnesota on Thursday night might not keep the star pass rusher out much longer.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Watt is believed to have suffered just a tweak to his groin against the Vikings, per a source.
With 10 days before the Steelers return to the field against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 19, Watt has a chance to be ready, Rapoport added.
A Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Watt entered Week 14 leading the NFL with 16.0 sacks, two ahead of Cleveland's Myles Garrett. Watt also led the NFL with 15.0 sacks in 2020, making him the first player with 15-plus sacks in back-to-back seasons since his brother J.J. in 2014 and 2015 (J.J. won AP Defensive Player of the Year both seasons).
Watt played just 24 snaps in Thursday night's game before being sidelined for the groin injury. He compiled a tackle and a QB hit.
Fellow outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (knee) is not believed to have suffered a major injury in Thursday's loss to Minnesota, Rapoport reported.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (ankle) and linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (ankle) questionable to play against Carolina.
- Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (hand) is out against Cleveland, while receiver Miles Boykin (finger) is doubtful to play. Six players are questionable, including cornerbacks Anthony Averett (knee) and Chris Westry (thigh), fullback Patrick Ricard (hand) and tight end Nick Boyle (illness/knee).
- Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (toe) and tight end Tommy Sweeney (hip) won't play against the Buccaneers. Defensive lineman Efe Obada (hip) is questionable.
- Carolina Panthers guards John Miller (ankle) and Michael Jordan (hamstring) were ruled out against Atlanta.
- Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) and running back David Montgomery (shoulder, groin, glute) do not have a game status designation for Sunday versus the Packers. Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (ankle) is questionable. Quarterback Andy Dalton (hand) and wideout Marquise Goodwin (foot) are doubtful. Linebacker Cassius Marsh (knee) has been ruled out and placed on injured reserve.
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (finger) will have no limitations on Sunday, coach Zac Taylor said Friday. Running back Joe Mixon (illness) and receiver Tee Higgins (ankle) are expected to play against the 49ers. They are listed as questionable.
- Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, punter Jamie Gillan and linebacker Anthony Walker (reserve/COVID-19 list) won't play against Baltimore. Tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) and receiver Anthony Schwartz (concussion) are also out, while defensive tackles Jordan Elliott (knee) and Malik Jackson (knee). The team announced cornerback Greg Newsome II was added to the injury report with a head injury and his game status will be questionable. He's being evaluated for a concussion after falling and hitting his head on the last play of practice.
- Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (foot) is questionable to play against Washington.
- Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) has been ruled out against the Broncos. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) is doubtful and offensive tackle Penei Sewell (illness, shoulder) is questionable. The Lions placed running back Jamaal Williams and safety Tracy Walker on the reserve/Covid-19 list.
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe) practiced for the first time in weeks. He was limited. Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and is questionable for Sunday versus the Bears. The Packers announced that tight ends coach Justin Outten will not be available this weekend due to COVID-19 protocols. Quarterbacks/passing game coordinator Luke Getsy and offensive quality control coach Ryan Mahaffey will share Outten's responsibilities.
- Houston Texans wideout Brandin Cooks (back) is questionable for Sunday against the Seahawks.
- Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Linder (back) will not play against the Titans.
- Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton (knee) and offensive lineman Lucas Niang (ribs) is questionable for Sunday versus the Raiders.
- Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (knee, back) has been ruled out for Sunday against the Chiefs.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday versus the Giants. Defensive lineman Justin Jones (ankle) is questionable. Coach Brandon Staley said wide receiver Keenan Allen (COVID) will not play, but wideout Mike Williams (COVID) and cornerback Chris Harris (COVID) would be available if they continue to test negative.
- Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (toe) was a full participant in practice after being limited on Thursday. Linebacker Terrell Lewis (back) and offensive lineman Brian Allen (knee) missed practice for the second consecutive day.
- Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin tested positive for COVID-19, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. With Miami on bye and Gaskin vaccinated, there's a chance he'll test out of protocols and return in time for next week's game versus the Jets, Pelissero added.
- New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon has been cleared from the concussion protocol and will start Sunday versus the Chargers. Wide receivers Kenny Golladay (rib) and Sterling Shepard (quad) and defensive tackle Danny Shelton (calf) are questionable. Quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), receiver Kadarius Toney (oblique) and defensive back Adoree' Jackson (quad) won't play.
- New York Jets running back Tevin Coleman (concussion) and tight end Trevon Wesco are out against New Orleans, while receiver Elijah Moore (quad) and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are questionable.
- San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel (groin) and cornerback Dontae Johnson (personal) are questionable for Sunday versus the Bengals. Running back Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (ankle) are out.
- Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said safety Quandre Diggs (calf) will play Sunday versus the Texans after missing two days of practice this week. He's listed as questionable. Carroll said running back Adrian Peterson is dealing with a lower-back injury and will not play this weekend.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated long snapper Zach Triner from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Safety Jordan Whitehead (calf) was ruled out against Buffalo. Four players are questionable: receiver Jaelon Darden (concussion), cornerback Jamel Dean (concussion), defensive lineman William Gholston (wrist/knee) and center Ryan Jensen (ankle). Cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) was activated from IR.
- Five Tennessee Titans players have been ruled out against Jacksonville, including cornerback Janoris Jenkins (ankle) and newly acquired linebacker Zach Cunningham.
- Washington Football Team safety Landon Collins (foot), linebacker Jamin Davis (concussion), running back J.D. McKissic (concussion) and receiver Curtis Samuel (groin) are questionable to play against Dallas. Guard Wes Schweitzer (ankle) is out.
Roster moves
- The Chicago Bears signed linebacker Bruce Irvin to the practice squad.
- The Cleveland Browns signed veteran punter Dustin Colquitt to the active roster. Cleveland placed Jamie Gillan, its starting punter, on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week after he tested positive for COVID-19.
- The New Orleans Saints signed wideout Kenny Stills to their active roster.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed wideout Tyler Vaughns and defensive back Linden Stephens to the practice squad and released punter Drue Chrisman and long snapper Rex Sunahara from the practice squad.
