Nobody wants to see this. With just 1:26 remaining in the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, a scary injury halted the game and had players from both teams kneeling at mid-field.
As the Lions looked to milk the clock and put the game on ice with a 24-17 lead against the Steelers, Pittsburgh rookie safety Ryan Watts was mixed up in traffic and went down awkwardly after his head bounced off the leg of an opposing player. Watts writhed in pain face down on the ground. Immediately, you could tell the injury appeared serious.
Those watching from home or listening on the radio could hear the concern in Pittsburgh announcers Bob Pompeani and Charlie Batch as their stomachs sank watching Watts on the ground.
As the game cut to a commercial, we expected to see a stretcher and ambulance on the field. Miraculously, Watts was able to get up under his own power and exit the game with the training staff.
Steelers avoided disaster in closing second vs. Lions
Ryan Watts, a sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 NFL Draft, was having a good summer. The Texas product made the switch from cornerback in college to a safety during his first training camp and preseason in the NFL.
After solid performances in exhibition action, Watts appeared to be on track to make the team. He offered versatility on defense to wear multiple hats as a safety, box defender, and dime defender. Unfortunately, Watts suffered an injury less than a minute and a half before his first preseason wrapped up.
Watching Watts writhe in pain on the ground instantly brought back flashbacks of Ryan Shazier's spinal injury. The rookie defensive back was facedown as his body twitched, but it was hard to notice movement in his legs.
While we don't know what Watts' injury is, it's safe to say the Steelers avoided disaster, and fans can breathe a sigh of relief that he was able to get up under his own power.
We will see what the diagnosis ends up being for Watts. Let's pray that it was just a bad stinger and that he can get back at it soon. If this injury in the closing seconds against the Lions proves to be something more, it could impact Watts' chances of making the Steelers' 53-man roster in 2024.