Steelers Rumors: T.J. Watt's Pec Injury Wasn't Full Tear, May Miss Only a Month

T.J. Watt will return to the football field at some point in the future, according to the PittsburghSteelers.

Watt injured his chest in the first game of the season and it was thought to be a torn chest muscle. Jonathan Jones reported Monday that the injury may not be as bad as first thought.

Jonathan Jones @jjones9

There's some optimism today in Pittsburgh that OLB and Reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt did not experience a full pec tear and will be able to return after sitting for a month or so, per league source. Still awaiting word from the team.

Considering how important Watt is to the team's Super Bowl chances, the overtime win was costly.

The Wisconsin product was the Defensive Player of the Year last season with 64 tackles, a league-best 22.5 sacks, seven passes defended, five forced turnovers and three fumbled balls. He was named to the All-Pro team for the third year in a row.

The onus was on other defenders to make up for his absence as he was expected to contend for the defensive player of the year.

Alex Highsmith will likely see more playing time until Watt is back on the field, as he is a defensive leader.