Pittsburgh Steelers rookie safety Ryan Watts is still battling back from a season-ending neck injury suffered in the team’s last preseason game against the Detroit Lions. For a period after his injury, Watts was in a neck brace. On Friday, he posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed with a neck brace on, saying it had been one of the most challenging years of his life.

It is unclear if the surgery Watts underwent was recent or from just after he suffered the injury. Over the last few months of the season, Watts participated in physical activities to the side, and so it is unknown if this surgery occurred recently or not.

That injury occurred near the final play of the game, when Watts got struck by a knee to the head. After the play, Watts was diagnosed with a stinger. However, as of November, Watts was still awaiting medical clearance.

“I am going to do what (rehab) I can here so I continue being with the team, continue watching practices and continue being in the meetings so I can learn as much as I can,” Watts said to Chris Adamski of the Tribune-Review. “When the doctors give me that green light, I’ll be ready to go.”

Watts added that the doctors are working to clear him as soon as possible, but he admitted he did not know when that would be, only that he would be back before the team’s first game in 2025.

Neck injuries can be trouble, and the Steelers worked through a similar injury this offseason with safety Trenton Thompson. Thompson had a player land on his neck, knocking him out for the season and losing most of his offseason. Watts hopes to be back up and working during the offseason.