For the second straight year, linebacker T.J. Watt has been voted by his teammates as the Steelers’ most valuable player.
Watt leads the NFL in sacks with 15, one short of James Harrison’s team record of 16, but he may not get a chance to add to his total this Sunday when the Steelers play the Browns, as coach Mike Tomlin will be giving many regulars a rest. Watt told reporters yesterday that he doesn’t know if he will be playing Sunday, but he is preparing as if he will.
Watt said he has always had faith in his ability to play top-flight NFL football.
Watt is considered the front-runner, along with the Rams’ Aaron Donald, for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was a finalist last year, along with Donald, who has won the award twice. New England’s Stephon Gilmore won it last year.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is another Steeler whose playing time might be limited on Sunday, but he says this game means a lot to the defense, which will be trying to maintain the momentum gained in the second half last week against the Colts.
Kicker Chris Boswell was back on the sidelines yesterday, a day after putting in a full day of practice as he seeks to return from a groin injury. Safety Terrell Edmunds also sat out with a shoulder injury. Injured defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu were back to work.
The Browns continue to struggle with coronavirus. Cornerback Denzel Ward and linebacker Malcolm Smith were placed on the reserve/covid list yesterday and will miss Sunday’s game. The Browns closed their practice facility and canceled practice again.
While Cleveland did get several players back from the reserve list this week, they will be without Ward, Smith, linebacker B.J. Gordon, safety Andrew Sendejo, and tight end Harrison Bryant.
