Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt again named AFC Defensive Player of the Month

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.

This is the third time Watt has won the honor and the second time this year. He was AFC Defensive Player of the Month in September, as well as once in 2019.

Watt had 18 tackles, including 13 solo stops, five and a half sacks, 17 quarterback hits and three pass defenses in November. He had two games with multiple sacks during the five-game stretch, including the Bengals and Ravens (Week 12) games when he had two each.

Watt leads the NFL with 11 sacks and has had 33 quarterback hits and 17 tackles for a loss. He also has 39 tackles, including 30 solo stops, six pass defenses and an interception.

Coach Mike Tomlin is confident Watt will continue to play at the same level without linebacker Bud Dupree, who is out for the season after reportedly suffering a torn ACL during Wednesday’s game against the Ravens.

>>STORY: Report: Steelers’ star linebacker Bud Dupree has torn ACL, out for season

“I don’t think T.J. Watt gets assistance from anyone in terms of his quality of his play,” Tomlin said. “T.J. makes his plays. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue at all. Guys like T.J. don’t depend on anyone.”

Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin holds news conference following win over Baltimore Ravens (12/3/20)

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