Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has pulled out of the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, citing an injury.
Watt suffered an ankle injury on Dec. 15, in the Steelers’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not miss a game, but had the least effective stretch of his season after the injury.
In the final three games of the 2024 regular season and the Steelers’ Wild Card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, he combined for no sacks, seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defended.
He finished the season with 11.5 sacks, the third-fewest of his career, after his rookie season and 2022, when he missed seven games with a pectoral injury. Watt also had 61 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hits and an NFL-leading six forced fumbles. He is a finalist to win the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Watt will be replaced in the games by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The Ravens made the announcement of the replacement on Thursday.
Watt was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team for the seventh time in his career. He also sat out the 2024 and 2023 Pro Bowls due to injury.
Four other Steelers will be attending and playing in the Pro Bowl Games this year. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and kicker Chris Boswell were voted into the initial roster, while special teamer Miles Killebrew was an injury replacement.
More replacements will be announced after the winners of the AFC and NFC Championship Games are removed from the rosters this weekend.
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will consist of a skills contest held on Thursday, Jan. 30 and then a 7-on-7 flag football competition at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.
