Carolina Panthers returner Andre Roberts placed on injured reserve

The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that return man Andre Roberts will be heading to the injured reserve for an extended period. The 34-year-old returned one punt and two kicks in the Panthers’ season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The announcement from the Panthers wasn’t overly specific, noting only that Roberts will miss “considerable” time and that the injury is to his knee.

“The Panthers placed the 34-year-old wide receiver on injured reserve Tuesday because of a knee issue that will cost him considerable time,” Panthers team writer Darin Gantt wrote.

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NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added that Roberts had sprained his PCL during the loss to the Browns. No surgery will be necessary, but the injury will keep him sideline for an extended stint.

#Panthers return specialist Andre Roberts, who was placed on injured reserve today, suffered a PCL sprain in Sunday’s loss to the #Browns, per source. No surgery required, but it’ll be awhile for Roberts, the three-time All-Pro.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 13, 2022

Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2010, Roberts has been all around the league during his 13 years, with stops in Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, New York — with the Jets — Buffalo and then both Houston and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

Roberts has been one of the best returners of his generation, as the Citadel product is a three-time All Pro and three-time Pro Bowler. But at least for now, he’ll be sidelined as the Panthers search for another option at returner.

In other NFL injury news, Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt is expect to miss around six weeks

The bad news for Pittsburgh is that TJ Watt is going to be missing some time with a pectoral injury. The good news is the rehab timeline is shorter than expected after Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed Watt will only miss “about six week” due to his injury. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was previously thought to be out for the season. However, since surgery is not required, Watt will be back on the field at some point this year.

“Doctors determined this afternoon that Steelers’ LB T.J. Watt does not surgery on his torn pectoral and he now is expected to miss about six weeks, per source,” Schefter said.

Watt suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter vs. Cincinnati. From the moment it occurred, he knew what had happened. Walking off the field holding his chest, he was seen mouthing “I tore my pec, I tore my pec.”

While the six weeks might be positive news, Watt will still be a major loss for Pittsburgh. He was having a dominant performance on Sunday, already filling up the stat sheet. Watt finished with six tackles, three tackles for a loss, a sack, an interception, and two passes defended. Especially in an AFC North matchup, it was an incredible showing for Watt.

Over the next six games, the Steelers have a few crucial matchups on the schedule. They will travel to Cleveland Week 3 and Buffalo Week 5. New England will be in town on Sunday. Some big-named AFC quarterbacks/opponents will not have to face the wrath of Watt.

Oct. 30 against Philadelphia could be the earliest return date, at least based on the six-week timeline.