Steelers' Watt: 'NFL has something going against me'

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt voiced his frustrations with NFL officials following Sunday's 24-10 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

"The NFL has something going against me, so I don't want to talk any more negatively toward them. I don't know what I did, but I'll leave it at that," Watt said postgame when asked if being held by a Cardinals defender contributed to an ankle injury suffered in the second half.

The referees didn't throw a flag on the play.

Watt was in visible pain while his right ankle was being looked at on the sideline early in the fourth quarter. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year limped off the field and spent time in the medical tent but returned to the game.

T.J. Watt in some discomfort on the Steelers sidelines. pic.twitter.com/eC7o4PM87V

- NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 3, 2023

Injuries were a big issue for the Steelers in Week 13, as Pittsburgh also saw quarterback Kenny Pickett (ankle) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (groin) leave the game. Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick played Sunday with a broken hand.

"It's tough," Watt said of Pittsburgh's injury issues. "Any time you're challenged in the depth, it's always a next-man-up mentality. ... It's hard when you get depleted inside. It's not an excuse, we need to have guys step up in situations, that's including myself, and we weren't able to do that today."

Watt, one of this season's DPOY front-runners, finished the contest with six tackles (one for loss), 0.5 sacks, and two quarterback hits.

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