Mike Tomlin: Steelers 'encouraged' by T.J. Watt's status

There has been a wide range of speculation and reporting on the status of Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt after he left Sunday's Week 1 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Head coach Mike Tomlin gave the team's first official statement on Watt's status during his Tuesday press conference, officially ruling him out for the Week 2 game — and home opener — against the New England Patriots. Beyond that, Tomlin made no commitment on Watt's status for this season, while also adding the team is encouraged by what it has seen and heard.

"We are in a lot better place than we were in after the game," said Tomlin regarding Watt's status. 

The initial concern for Watt was that he tore his pectoral muscle, which would have likely been a season-ending injury. In the hours and days since then there has been some optimism that Watt did not completely tear the muscle, and if it can be treated with rehab instead of surgery, he could potentially return this season, perhaps within a few weeks.

Tomlin said the Steelers are still getting opinions on the injury and seeing how to progress. It is difficult to overstate just how important Watt is to the Steelers defense.

He tied the NFL sack record a year ago with 22.5 sacks and won his first Defensive Player of the Year Award despite missing two games. Prior to exiting Sunday's game in Cincinnati he was all over the field, recording six tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, sacking Joe Burrrow, defending two passes and intercepting another pass. 

Alex Highsmith (who also had three sacks on Sunday) will become the Steelers' primary outside pass rusher as long as Watt is sidelined, while recent trade acquisition Malik Reed will enter into the starting lineup.