T.J. Watt Likely Out Six Weeks, Defensive Player of Year Odds Shift
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Early reports about T.J. Watt’s injury were dire. Some anticipated the Pittsburgh Steeler outside linebacker could potentially miss the rest of the NFL season with a torn pectoral muscle.
But the team received positive news when doctors determined Watt will not need surgery on his pectoral muscle and could potentially miss only six weeks.
"We're probably in a lot better place than we were after the game," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday about Watt’s injury outlook. "I can definitively say that T.J. won't play this week, but I won't make any commitments beyond that.
“We’re encouraged, and we’ll just continue to look at the situation and gain opinions and do what's appropriate.”
Watt suffered the injury during the final seconds of regulation during a sack attempt on Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow. Without Watt in overtime, the Steelers managed to record a 23-20 victory. Watt tallied a sack and an interception in the victory.
On Wednesday, the Steelers placed Watt on injured reserve, meaning the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year will remain out for at least four weeks.
To compensate for Watt’s absence, the team signed outside linebacker David Anenih off the Tennessee Titans practice squad to the Steelers’ 53-man roster.
NFL Odds Board Shifts
Watt’s injury drastically shifted the NFL betting odds board for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
He started the season as the co-favorite for the award with Los Angeles’ Aaron Donald at +700, but Watt has now fallen to +3000 after news of his injury.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett is now the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook at +550.
Garrett displayed his dominant ability in the win over the Carolina Panthers, recording two sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons had the biggest improvement in odds out of any player after one week.
Parsons opened at +1100 but is now +600 at DraftKings. In the loss against Tampa Bay, Parsons had two sacks and three quarterback hits.
Donald, who had one sack and one quarterback hit in the loss against the Buffalo Bills, remains at +700.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
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