Two years after he pulled off the first “hold in” from Pittsburgh Steelers summer practices, T.J. Watt missed the first day of 2023 minicamp entirely.
The former NFL defensive player of the year’s absence was excused by coach Mike Tomlin.
Speaking Tuesday afternoon following the first of three days of mandatory practices this week, Tomlin confirmed that Watt was joined by punter Pressley Harvin III and reserve interior offensive lineman Ryan McCollum as those not on hand at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
“Everyone was here that I anticipated being here,” Tomlin said. “I gave a couple guys an excused absence for a variety of reasons. T.J. wasn’t here. Ryan McCollum wasn’t here.
“I’m sure you guys missed T.J. I’m sure none of you missed Ryan McCollum.”
Watt did not take part in team drills through the entirety of 2021 organized team activities, minicamp or training camp while he and the Steelers negotiated a contract extension.
The Steelers signed veteran Markus Golden last month to serve as the top backup to Watt and Alex Highsmith at outside linebacker.
With the exception of four days, McCollum spent all of last year’s regular season on the Steelers’ practice squad after he was claimed off waivers in August. McCollum is a depth option at center.
Harvin enters his third NFL training camp with competition in Braden Mann, who served as the New York Jets’ punter the past three seasons.
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