It’s been a rough week for Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt, who spent time in the hospital following a lung injury. The NFL poured salt in the wound on Saturday, as Watt was fined $11,593 for a late hit in the Steelers’ Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The hit came with 2:12 left in the second half.
The fine was announced on the NFL Gameday Accountability page.
It’s a really ticky-tack definition of a late hit, as Watt jumped on a pile of players trying to bring down Derrick Henry while the Ravens RB was still up. It really doesn’t look like a play that rose to a level of a fine, but the league office seemed to disagree.
Below is the sideline view of the play.
It’s the first time this season that Watt has been fined. It was also the only play that was fined from the Steelers-Ravens tilt.
Last week, three Steelers were fined for their actions against the Buffalo Bills, so it was a cleaner game in that regard. Really, the Steelers should’ve avoided any fines altogether, but somehow Watt gets fined for trying to bring down one of the NFL’s hardest players to tackle.
Watt will miss Pittsburgh’s Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins due to the surgery he had on his partially collapsed lung. This season, he’s totaled 53 tackles, seven sacks, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles as well as an interception.
There’s a solid chance that Watt may appeal the fine. But despite the fine, I’m sure Watt will take it given that it came with a 27-22 Steelers win that put them in the AFC North driver’s seat.
All fines collected by the league are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to support safety and wellness of youth athletes.