Both Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt have been added to the NFL concussion protocol following head injuries they sustained against the Patriots.
Pittsburgh — After the Steelers’ game against the Patriots on Thursday night, Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt, two outside linebackers, were placed in the NFL concussion protocol. In the first quarter, Highsmith left the game and did not come back. Initially, his injury was listed as a neck injury. After suffering an injury early in the game, Watt left the field for a few plays before coming back to play the rest of the way. Of the 57 defensive snaps in the game, 52 were played by Watt. On Friday, he showed up at the team facility and reported feeling unwell.
The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be a team headed for the playoffs two weeks ago. The Steelers are currently 7-6 and are rapidly losing after two straight losses, which also included an injury to starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Although Pickett is currently injured, the Steelers’ offense, which ranks 28th in scoring this season, hasn’t scared anyone even when healthy. Despite being only 25 years old, the former first-round pick has only had one 300-yard passing performance and one multi-touchdown game in his career. Put differently, he hasn’t exactly persuaded the whole Pittsburgh fan base that he is Ben Roethlisberger’s rightful heir apparent despite having won two Super Bowl rings.
Coach Tomlin is also coming off of tough defeats to clubs that are at least eight games below.500. The ‘feat’ was accomplished by a team above.500 for the first time. In his 16 years as the head coach of the Steelers, Tomlin has not experienced a losing season. Pittsburgh could be afloat for the time being, but games against Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Seattle, and Baltimore could make for a difficult regular season finale.
Due to the Steelers’ difficulties both this season and last, some are unsure if Coach Tomlin will stay on as QB coach or if Pickett is the team’s best long-term option.
The Steelers are 7-5 this season when Pickett gets started. Pittsburgh also started as a rookie for the Steelers last season, setting the same record. They haven’t been able to light up the scoreboard, though, as they have only averaged 16.8 points per game over 23 starts (I took away one start because Pickett only completed one pass before getting hurt).
Without a doubt, the Steelers’ offense is in trouble, but can Pickett contribute to the solution or is he the cause of the issue? The answers to those questions are still up in the air.
However, the Steelers “haven’t given any indication they plan to move on from Pickett in the near future,” according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.With a contract that expires in 2025 and the Steelers’ option to add a fifth year to his rookie contract, there’s no pressing need to give up on their young quarterback anytime soon.
Let’s say that Coach Tomlin’s position is safe, but what about Pickett’s?
Not only is the veteran Steelers coach never in danger of Pittsburgh selecting among the top five picks, but he has also not won a postseason game since 2016. Furthermore, Pittsburgh might not even be the one to decide they want a change of scenery. What if Tomlin believes there are better opportunities outside of Pittsburgh, especially since he only has a year left on his contract? On the open market, the 2008 Super Bowl champion would undoubtedly draw a lot of interest.
However, “it’s hard to find anyone in the Steelers’ organization who strongly believes Tomlin will get fired,” according to Dianna Russini’s report.
It would be shocking to let go of Tomlin at this point, given that this team has the most devoted head coach history in NFL history. However, this is all conjecture, so it doesn’t mean Tomlin might not feel differently. There have been no signs that Pittsburgh’s boss has suddenly become unfaithful.
