Pittsburgh Steelers star pass-rusher T.J. Watt initially was expected to miss six weeks with a pectoral injury suffered in the season opener, but ESPN reported Saturday that recent arthroscopic knee surgery will delay his return.

Watt’s knee surgery was a result of a preseason injury that hadn’t healed by the season opener, per ESPN.

The Steelers will continue to monitor Watt’s recovery from both his knee and pectoral issues but won’t rush him back.

Per the report, Pittsburgh doesn’t expect the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year to return before the team’s Week 9 bye, which means he might not suit up until the Steelers host the Saints on Nov. 13 in Week 10.

Without their cornerstone on defense, the Steelers are 0-3 and have only three sacks over their last three games.

Pittsburgh (1-3) heads to Buffalo on Sunday to play the Bills (3-1).

–Field Level Media