This autumn has been far from how Ryan Watts imagined his rookie NFL season. But the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second of two sixth-round picks is making the most of his situation.
Watts, a defensive back from Texas, has been on injured reserve all season — and will remain so — after suffering a neck injury during the preseason finale.
“I am going to do what (rehab) I can here so I continue being with the team, continue watching practices and continue being in the meetings so I can learn as much as I can,” Watts said after Thursday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
“When the doctors give me that green light, I’ll be ready to go.”
Watts is not sure exactly when that will happen, but in regards to getting into games or even onto the practice field with teammates, that’s a moot point because he is ineligible to do so until 2025.
Watts caught the knee of a Detroit Lions player to his head during an Aug. 24 preseason game.
That made for an abrupt end to what was a promising rookie training camp for Watts, who, as a 6-foot-3, 212-pound cornerback, helped Texas reach the College Football Playoff last year.
For the Steelers, he was playing a hybrid role, mostly as a strong safety but also getting reps at free safety and nickel/slot.
“I felt all right about camp. I felt like I learned a lot,” Watts said. “It was really my first time playing the position full time. I played it short amounts of time in college but playing it full time I felt like I was learning a lot and starting to grow. With who I’ve got in front of me (on the depth chart) I will learn even more, and I know I can.”
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee and Cameron Sutton are among the veteran defensive backs from whom Watts can learn. And if the mental part of his game grows, Watts is well on track to become a possible contributor to the defense for the 2025 Steelers.
That still is very much on the table despite the somewhat-scary nature of Watts’ initial injury.
“I am just still talking to the doctors to find the best plan for me,” Watts said. “They’re trying to clear me as soon as possible, really.
“I am sure I will be back out there. Just have got to have a plan and a plan to be back out there as safe as possible. I am sure I will be back out there by next year.”