Watt announced Tuesday via his personal Instagram account that he has retired from professional football.
Watt last suited up for Pittsburgh in 2022, and he served as the Steelers' top fullback for three seasons after beginning his career in 2016 with the Chargers, who drafted him in the sixth round. With the 31-year-old now hanging up the cleats, Pittsburgh star pass rusher T.J. Watt (knee) is the last of three Watt brothers remaining in the NFL, with J.J. Watt having retired after the 2022 season.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Reaches end zone in Week 18
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Watt rushed once for one yard and a touchdown during the Steelers' 28-14 win over Cleveland on Monday.
Watt was on the field for just six offensive snaps Monday, but he scored a rushing touchdown for the first time this season to help lead the Steelers to the win. He rushed nine times for 21 yards and a touchdown while securing all five of his targets for 11 yards and another score this season. The 30-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason after spending the last three seasons in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Accounts for five yards in win
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Watt carried once for four yards and recorded a one-yard reception in Monday's 24-17 win over the Colts.
The veteran fullback played only five snaps on offense in the win and has yet to see his snap share climb above 10 percent in any of his 11 appearances on the season. He's thus far carried four times for eight yards while adding four receptions for eight yards and a touchdown on four targets.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Minimal work during regular season
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Watt recorded one carry for one yard while securing all three of his targets for 15 yards during the 2021 regular season.
Watt was held without a touch during his first season with the Steelers in 2020, and he played primarily on special teams during the 2021 campaign. Najee Harris established himself as the Steelers' top backfield contributor during his rookie season, so Watt is unlikely to play a significant offensive role in 2022.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Renegotiates contract
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Watt agreed Thursday with the Steelers on a restructured contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Networkreports.
Watt's restructured deal will free up $880,000 in cap space for Pittsburgh, with the team likely converting some of his base salary into a signing bonus. Though he didn't handle any carries during his inaugural campaign with the Steelers last season, Watt played an important role as a blocker and special-teams contributor when healthy.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Full speed at practice
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Watt (concussion) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Watt entered the league's five-step concussion protocol after a scary incident during Monday's loss to the Bengals. He's apparently made a quick recovery, working at full speed in practice to start the week, and he'll be in the lineup for the Week 16 matchup against the Colts.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Ruled out for remainder of contest
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Watt (concussion) has been ruled out for remainder of Monday's contest against the Bengals, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
It was a scary moment early in Monday's contest as Watt's helmet collided with Alex Erickson's knee after a Pittsburgh punt, leaving Watt motionless on the field for several minutes. He was eventually able to walk off the field with some assistance. He'll now likely enter the league's concussion protocol, leaving his status for next Sunday's matchup with the Colts in question.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Questionable to return
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Watt is being evaluated for a concussion and is considered questionable to return to Monday's game against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Watt took a scary knee to the helmet on the game's first punt early in the first quarter. While he was able exit under his own power, he was noticeably woozy. Should he ultimately get ruled out, his absence will primarily be felt on special teams.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Returns in full Wednesday
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Watt (hamstring) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Watt was unavailable for Sunday's win over the Titans due to the hamstring injury, but he's back at practice Wednesday with no limitations. The 27-year-old has played only 25 offensive snaps in his four appearances this season.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Won't play Sunday
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Watt (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Watt has been unable to practice this week due to the hamstring issue and won't be available for Week 7. The 27-year-old missed Week 5 due to the injury but was back for last week's win over the Browns, though he apparently never fully recovered.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Hamstring still bothersome
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Watt (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.
Watt suited up last week for the first time since Week 3, but he's evidently not over the hamstring injury that kept him out in between. The fullback will look to raise his practice participation as the week unfolds ahead of a highly anticipated Week 7 clash against the Titans.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Practices without limitations
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Watt (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Watt missed just one game due to the hamstring injury, and he'll be back in the lineup Sunday against the Browns. The Wisconsin product hasn't garnered a touch on offense yet, but he's tied for second on the team with three special-teams tackles.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Officially out for Week 5
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Watt (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Watt suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during Pittsburgh's Week 3 win over the Texans, and he has yet to resume practicing. The fullback's next chance to retake the field will come versus the Browns on Oct. 18.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Will likely miss time
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Watt suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during Sunday's win over the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
There's no definitive timeline for Watt's return, but he's expected to at least miss Sunday's game versus the Titans. While Watt has only played a handful of offensive snaps this year, he's a key special-teams contributor, as he's tied for sixth with three tackles on return coverage this year.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Hit with injury
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Watt (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Texans, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
The 27-year-old fullback was tagged with a hamstring injury during the second quarter of action, but if feasible, he surely will want to do what he can to return to the game given that his two brothers -- J.J. and T.J. -- are both on the field. Pittsburgh does not have another fullback on the roster, but it's possible tight end Vance McDonald may be able to slide into that position in a pinch should Watt be unable to return.
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Steelers' Derek Watt: Limited in camp
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Coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday that Watt has been limited due to "coming off a surgery," Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Watt dealt with knee and shoulder injuries during his time with the Chargers last season, but until now there had been no word about him undergoing any offseason procedures. The starting fullback will target a full return to practice ahead of Sept. 13's season opener against the Giants.
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Chargers' Derek Watt: Set to join Steelers
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Watt and the Steelers agreed to terms on a contract Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Watt will join brother T.J. Watt, who was a 2017 first-round pick of the Steelers. Derek is better known for his blocking capabilities than his rushing prowess, as he managed seven carries for 10 yards and a touchdown in 2019, while tacking on three receptions for 32 yards. Pittsburgh already had Roosevelt Nix (knee) on the roster but perhaps not for much longer, as the club presumably won't see the need to carry two fullbacks in 2020.
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Chargers' Derek Watt: Nearly earns Pro Bowl bid
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Watt attempted seven carries for 10 yards and a touchdown, and also tacked on three receptions for 32 yards throughout the 2019 season.
While Watt was marginalized in the way of counting stats, he was a first-team Pro Bowl alternate for special teams, and a second-team alternate for fullback, demonstrating his importance to the Chargers. The 27-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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Chargers' Derek Watt: Clear for Week 8
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Watt (knee) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Watt was a surprise addition to the injury report during the week with the knee issue but, as evidenced by this news, will start at fullback for the game. The 26-year-old will be an important blocking piece for running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler facing a stout Chicago defense.
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Chargers' Derek Watt: Ready to go for Week 1
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Watt (shoulder) played five snaps Saturday in the preseason loss to the Seahawks.
Watt should be full-go for the start of the regular season, but his lack of consistent playing time and marginal role in the offense makes him an unattractive fantasy option even in the deepest of formats.
