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Watt allowing play to do the talking

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PITTSBURGH – As if being the younger brother of a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a first-round draft pick weren’t enough pressure for Steelers rookie T.J. Watt, he raised the expectations placed upon him by fans with his impressive debut last weekend in Cleveland.

Watt, it seems, sure knows how to make a first impression.

After recording two sacks on the opening series of his first preseason game in August against the Giants, Watt might have one upped himself last weekend in Cleveland, when he recorded six tackles, two sacks and an interception in Pittsburgh’s 21-18 win over the Browns.

The efforts, which led to Watt being named AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Week, certainly caught the attention of his teammates.

“T.J., I feel like he’s a freak of nature,” said safety Sean Davis. “He came out here and did his thing in his debut. I know how hard it was for me in my first game. My expectations for T.J. have skyrocketed tremendously since his Week 1 show. He’s doing a great job. He can keep elevating and continue to get better.”

What’s next? A four-sack, two-interception game?

“For real,” said Davis. “Two picks and everything.”

Watt’s chance to do that will come Sunday when the Steelers (1-0) host the Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at 1 p.m. in their home opener.

The expectations on the 30th pick of this year’s draft might still be too great. After all, it took Watt’s older brother, J.J., three games in his rookie season before he recorded his first sack.

“I didn’t really have expectations,” Watt said. “I just wanted to come in here and play my absolute best, trust my preparation and trust the amount of work I’ve been putting in.”

To have two sacks in his first NFL game wasn’t a great surprise for Watt, doing it against All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas might have raised some eyebrows, even on the Pittsburgh sideline.

For Watt, who has a very business-like approach to the game, it was just another day at the office.

Even more impressive than Watt’s sack total was his interception in the third quarter. Watt dropped into coverage, read quarterback DeShone Kizer and stretched his 6-5 frame high into the air to pick off the pass, which Kizer thought he could slip over Watt’s head.

“You know he’s tried to get under some of my passes like that, to no avail yet, but you see the ability, the athleticism, the hands,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said of Watt’s interception. “So that play didn’t surprise me all that much because I see him in practice try and get under my passes.”

It’s all part of the rookie learning process, testing his boundaries and learning about the NFL.

At one time, rookies rarely started on defense for the Steelers but that has changed in recent seasons. Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier was a regular in his first season, while outside linebackers Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree at least shared starting duties at times in their rookie seasons.

Last season, Davis was one of three rookies to start for the Steelers, joining corner Artie Burns and nose tackle Javon Hargrave in the starting lineup.

That might have helped pave the way for Watt to gain some immediate acceptance from his older teammates.

“You’ve got to keep your mouth shut and he does a good job of that,” said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. “You’ve got to produce and he’s done that, too. That will get the attention more so than anything else. He doesn’t make a lot of mental mistakes. He understands and the veterans understand the less mental mistakes you make, the better chance you have to win. He’s starting to earn their respect, letting his actions do his talking for him.”

Tight end Vance McDonald (back) did not practice Thursday and was added to the team’s injury list. Joining McDonald as those who did not practice were defensive end Stephon Tuitt (biceps), offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins (knee) and safety J.J. Wilcox (concussion). … Davis (ankle) and Dupree (shoulder) were limited. Both said they intend on playing.

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