Pittsburgh Steelers rookie leaves game due to injury

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason ended on a bitter note. After scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, they let up 24 points to the Detroit Lions and lost the game 24-17. Worse still, one of the Steelers' rookies had to leave the game due to injury after a dangerous play on the field.

Ryan Watts has been an impressive young player during training camp and the preseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team's sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the rookie has position versatility and tremendous potential. Unfortunately, he could be out of action for a while after suffering a blow to the head on a routine play.

During one of the final plays of the fourth quarter of the team's loss to the Lions, the ball was handed off for a run up the middle. During the tackle, Watts appeared to connect his head with the knee of a Lions player, knocking him to the ground. He remained down for several minutes after the play, barely moving. ESPN's Brooke Pryor shared her observations of the event via her X account.

Both teams knelt for Watts while medical personnel tended to him. The players on the field and the commentators of the game expressed concern for Watts as the play looked scary at first glance. After a few minutes, he was able to stand up on his own and leave the field to the applause of the Detroit crowd.

For Watts, this injury couldn't come at a worse time. Since he had been playing well all summer, he had a chance to make the Steelers' final 53-man roster. Hopefully, he can avoid a long-term absence due to this injury and be available again in a few weeks when the team opens its regular season against the Atlanta Falcons.

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