Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: 'No long-term concern' about injuries to T.J. Watt, Diontae Johnson

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/28/22

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have avoided disaster just weeks before the start of the regular season.

Pro Bowlers T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson exited Sunday's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions with injuries.

According to head coach Mike Tomlin, neither is expected to have suffered anything that would keep them out "long term."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says on the CBS broadcast that there is no long-term concern for the team in regards to the injuries to Edge T.J. Watt (knee) and WR Diontae Johnson (shoulder).
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 28, 2022

Watt left the game with a knee injury shortly after receiving a cut block. The three-time All-Pro was seen on the sidelines later without a wrap or brace on his knee.

Another look at the T.J. Watt knee injury #Steelers pic.twitter.com/a5t8TWtvnp
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 28, 2022

Johnson suffered an apparent shoulder injury after making a catch mid-way through the opening quarter. Like Watt, Johnson was seen on the sidelines in street clothes later in the game.

Diontae Johnson —

Likely left AC sprain after landing on his left side here after the catch.
Looks like he was guarding his arm a bit here, but started swinging it as he jogged off.
As of now, I’d say low concern for Week One status. https://t.co/PnjbTD83gV
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 28, 2022

While it seems Watt and Johnson will be ready for Week 1, there are likely to be questions about why the Steelers played them in a meaningless preseason game, risking potential injury.

Watt is coming off one of the best seasons of his five-year NFL career. The 23-year-old led the league with 22.5 sacks, posting 64 tackles (21 for loss) and five forced fumbles.

Meanwhile, Johnson earned his first-career Pro Bowl nod last season. The 26-year-old finished with career-highs in receptions (107), yards (1,161), and touchdowns (eight) in 16 regular-season games for the Steelers.

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