Watt takes another step toward an awaited return with warmup
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt remains on injured reserve for the Steelers, but he went through something close to his usual warmup routine Sunday night before his teammates faced the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Watt hasn’t played since a torn pectoral muscle knocked him out of the season-opening win at Cincinnati, but he appeared to be on the road to recovery before having arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this month. About three hours before the game, Watt planned out some exercises with strength and conditioning coach Garrett Giemont. Once the whole team hit the field for warmups, Watt worked out in a cut-off T-shirt, moving around and catching some passes.
The Steelers expect Watt to return at home against the Saints on Nov. 13. If he sits out next Sunday’s game at Philadelphia, the off week will give him some extra time to recover. Throughout the game, he was wearing a headset on the sideline to help the defense in between plays and drives.
Starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who was listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury,
also warmed up a bit pregame. Witherspoon ultimately was inactive after being limited in Friday’s practice, but he was listed as a full participant Thursday and seems to be on track to return against the Eagles.
Robinson back down
Also inactive for the Steelers were No. 3 quarterback Mason Rudolph, receiver Steven Sims, offensive lineman Kendrick Green and rookie inside linebacker Mark Robinson. Robinson made his NFL debut last week because of injuries elsewhere but didn’t play any defensive
snaps. With the Steelers secondary getting healthier, he wasn’t needed for any special teams duty Sunday.
Sims was ruled out Friday with a hamstring injury after not practicing at all during the week. He tweaked it on his 89-yard kick return against the Buccaneers and said it’s a minor issue but didn’t want to risk re-injuring it.
Inactive for the Dolphins were No. 3 quarterback Skylar Thompson, running back Myles Gaskin, receiver Erik Ezukanma,
defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, cornerback Kader Kohou and defensive back Keion Crossen.
Several starters were listed as questionable for the Dolphins, but lefttackle Terron Armstead, receiver Jaylen Waddle, tight end Durham Smythe, defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and cornerback Xavien Howard all were active.
Back together
Former Steelers offensive linemen David DeCastro and Alejandro Villanueva were among the pregame guests on the field.
The Steelers released DeCastro as he dealt with an ankle injury before the 2021 season, while Villanueva retired this offseason after spending last year with the Ravens.
Both got a big hug from longtime Steelers captain Cam Heyward as he ran into the tunnel to go back to the locker room a little before 8 p.m.
Speaking of familiar faces, Dolphins
legend and Central Catholic High School alumnus Dan Marino met with fellow Pitt great Kenny Pickett on the field before the game.
And speaking of reunions, the Dolphins honored their 1972 unbeaten team. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, the four living members of that team enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, Larry Little and Paul Warfield — were captains for the pregame coin toss. Star running back Mercury Morris,
an Avonworth High School graduate, led the crowd into a cheer before kickoff. Every player was announced during a halftime ceremony.
Quick hitters
Rookie wideout George Pickens caught his first career NFL touchdown pass in the second quarter, a 7-yard throw from Kenny Pickett. ... That was also Pickett’s first touchdown pass to one of his wide receivers. ... The first Pickett-toPickens touchdown capped an 86 -yard drive, the Steelers’ longest of the season by plays (13) and clock (7:29), as well. … Second-year defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk started for the second game in a row after being inactive the first five weeks, as did cornerback James Pierre, with veteran Cam Sutton coming off the bench in his first game back after leaving with a hamstring injury at Buffalo.