- TJ Watt reported feeling the effects of the hit to the Steelers on Friday morning
- A concussion expert said it was a scandal that Watt, 29, was allowed to play on
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt has entered concussion protocol after playing on from a sickening knee to the head in Thursday night’s loss to the Patriots, with a concussion expert branding the situation ‘a scandal’.
Watt was hurt on the first play of Thursday’s game – running back Ezekiel Elliott hit him with knee as Watt dived towards him at the end of his run.
The 29-year-old Watt left the field for a number of snaps but ultimately returned in the first quarter for his team and by the end of the game had played 90% of the defensive snaps.
According to the Steelers, Watt reported symptoms Friday morning and he will have to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can return to action. Watt didn’t speak to any media after the game with some suggestions that it was due to a migraine.
The Steelers next play on Saturday, December 16 against the Colts. But the incident will leave for some explaining given Watt returned to the filed with a tinted visor to play on in the game.
TJ Watt took a sickening knee to the head early in the Steelers game on Thursday night
Watt (left, lower) has since entered concussion protocol after the shocking scenes
Scandal: TJ Watt finished the game after this massive head impact.
He added a visor later in the game (light sensitivity?)
He didn’t do a post-game interview bc of a “migraine”.
Now we learn he is in the #concussion protocol.
How do we miss this in 2023? pic.twitter.com/FphoaMLata— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) December 9, 2023
TJ Watt suffered a concussion on this play.
Instead of sitting out the rest of the game, he put a tinted visor on and continued to play.
Why was this not reviewed?
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) December 9, 2023
Concussion expert Chris Nowinski was outraged at the news, writing on X: Scandal: TJ Watt finished the game after this massive head impact.
‘He added a visor later in the game (light sensitivity?) He didn’t do a post-game interview bc of a “migraine”. Now we learn he is in the #concussion protocol. How do we miss this in 2023?’
Last season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was embroiled in a concussion debate that stretched throughout the majority of the season.
He first appeared concussed from a September game against the Bills, looking unsteady as he clambered back to his feet from a hit but was not diagnosed with concussion.
But days later, he had to be carted off and taken straight to hospital in concerning scenes after the back of his head slammed against the ground when he was tackled in the next game. four days later on Thursday against Cincinnati Bengals.
He was officially diagnosed with concussion then, and had a third scare on Christmas Day when he got hit hard against the Green Bay Packers.
Tagovailoa was out for around a month before making it back and even faced scrutiny over whether he was going to retire.