NFL Fans Concerned Steelers’ T.J. Watt Might’ve Played With Concussion

Observers couldn’t believe the Pittsburgh Steelers standout was allowed to return to Thursday’s game after taking a hit to the head.

NFL fans are worried about Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt. 

Watt was placed in concussion protocol Saturday morning, two days after the Steelers’ 21—18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, a game that saw the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year suffer what appeared to be a head injury after taking a knee to the head on the first drive. Watt returned to the field after getting examined by trainers on the sideline. 

But NFL fans were concerned after cameras caught Watt taking smelling salts on the sideline and returning to the game wearing a tinted visor. After the news of Watt’s placement into protocol emerged Saturday, fans were outraged that the five-time Pro Bowler seemingly was allowed to play despite signs that he may have suffered a concussion. 

So why did TJ Watt put a tinted eye shade on after he got in the head? This was odd. One of the symptoms of a concussion is sensitivity to light. How did this happen? This is a legitimate question that needs answered.

— Bob Greenburg (@BobGreenburg) December 9, 2023

This user on X, formerly Twitter, wanted to know whether Watt was wearing a visor to help mask one of the symptoms of a concussion: sensitivity to light. NFL fans and pundits knew the implications of the situation if that was indeed why he was wearing the dark visor. 

If tj watt had a dark visor put on his helmet to continue playing, after taking a serious hit to the head, and now hes in the concussion protocol.....

People should be fired over that 🤷🏻‍♂️

— Cody Vidmar (@CodyVidmar) December 9, 2023

Everyone watching knew what was going on with TJ Watt. Tinted visor, the salts, all of it. Just shameful all around.

— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 9, 2023

TJ Watt only now in concussion protocol? After he showed signs Thursday night, enough for them to return him to the game with a tinted visor? Let's watch as the league finds ways to sweep this under the rug.

— Patriots Daily (@PatriotsDaily) December 9, 2023

This needs to be investigated how he wasn’t immediately in protocol after that hit to his head

— Michael Stauble (@StaubleMichael) December 9, 2023

Watt reportedly experienced concussion symptoms on Friday morning. It’s not clear whether Watt demanded to go back into the game or was somehow given the green light to return by team doctors.