Steelers Watt concussion protocol

Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt placed in concussion protocol after taking knee to the facemask; other NFL players also facing injuries.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed star outside linebacker T.J. Watt in concussion protocol. Watt, who is a perennial All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year candidate, reported concussion-like symptoms to team doctors the day after a 21-18 loss to New England. His 14 sacks are second in the NFL behind Khalil Mack, and he briefly exited Thursday night's game in the first quarter after taking an inadvertent knee to the facemask from Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott. Despite returning to the game and recording five tackles, Watt was held without a sack for the third time in 13 games. Alex Highsmith, who makes up one of the best edge rush tandems in the NFL with Watt, missed most of the loss to New England after going into the concussion protocol in the first quarter. The entire linebacking core for Pittsburgh has been beset by injuries this season, with inside linebackers Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb already out for the year and Elandon Roberts playing against the Patriots despite a groin injury.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson won't play Monday night against the New York Giants due to a hamstring injury. He hurt his hamstring late in the fourth quarter of the Packers' 27-19 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Watson scored two touchdowns and had seven catches for 71 yards against the Chiefs before his injury. He has scored four touchdowns during the Packers' three-game winning streak and has 28 catches for 422 yards and five scores this season. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said, "Obviously Christian's a big part of our offense. He's really, I think, kind of hit his groove. So, (not having him is) obviously not great because it took him a minute to get going within our system this year, and it's a shame and he made so many great plays the last few weeks. But I feel good about the other guys. I think they've really developed and we've got a lot of guys that can move into different spots to help pick up for that loss. When one guy's not there, it's an opportunity for the rest of the group, and I think those guys are ready for that challenge."

Browns rookie right tackle Dawand Jones will miss Sunday's game against Jacksonville with a knee injury. Jones has played exceptionally well after moving into the starting lineup in Week 1, when Jack Conklin suffered a season-ending knee injury. A fourth-round pick from Ohio State, Jones was downgraded from questionable to out on Saturday. The team also waived backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who went 1-1 as a starter earlier this season while Deshaun Watson was dealing with a shoulder injury. Walker also came off the bench at Indianapolis when Watson got hurt and led the Browns to a win.

The Miami Dolphins placed starting linebacker Jerome Baker on injured reserve with a knee injury. Baker injured his left knee in the second quarter of last week's win over the Washington Commanders when teammate Brandon Jones took his legs out from under him while trying to tackle Washington's Curtis Samuel. The Dolphins placed the sixth-year linebacker on injured reserve because of varying factors, including the expected timeline for Baker's return and Miami's need for a roster spot.

The Philadelphia security chief who was ejected in last week's game for his role in a scuffle with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been barred by the NFL from the sideline for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys. The team announced that Dom DiSandro is allowed to travel with the team and perform all other work duties when the Eagles visit Dallas, but he is not allowed on the sideline. In other news, Minnesota offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after being stopped for speeding on a Minneapolis interstate highway. Phillips, 44, was driving a Tesla when he was stopped around 9:45 p.m. Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says he showed "signs of impairment," and his blood alcohol content registered at 0.10%. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08%.