Steelers get positive update on T.J. Watt ahead of Week 18

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has not played since early December, but may be in line to return to the field this week.

The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year suffered a collapsed lung the week following Pittsburgh’s defeat of Baltimore. A limited participant in three practices last week, the star sat out his third straight game as the black and gold endured a catastrophe in Cleveland.

Now, with the season on the line Sunday night, head coach Mike Tomlin revealed some promising news regarding Watt’s status.

Tomlin optimistic with Watt’s progression entering final game of season

Following Baltimore’s win over Green Bay and Pittsburgh’s loss to Cleveland, the AFC North is once again up for grabs entering Week 18. It is a winner-take-all contest, with one team advancing to the postseason and the other heading home for the offseason. With the stakes as high as they could be, getting Watt back into the lineup could be paramount for the black and gold.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Tomlin stated that the 31-year-old remains questionable; however, his day-to-day will be telling. NFL insider Ian Rapoport echoed the words of the Steelers HC in an X post.

“Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on TJ Watt (lung): ‘We’ll work him up over the course of the week and let the amount of participation and quality of participation be our guide. … I’m more optimistic than I’ve been in previous weeks.‘”

Amid Watt’s absence, Pittsburgh’s defense has still performed well, allowing 25 or fewer points in four straight games. While they did allow points on Cleveland’s first two drives Sunday, Teryl Austin’s unit put up a stingy performance the rest of the way, allowing just three more points for the Browns.

Emerging stars Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer have been tremendous since the Wisconsin product went down, giving the veteran more time for a potential recovery. Similarly, Alex Highsmith has taken his game to new levels, posting 11 total tackles and two sacks in the three games Watt has missed.

Regardless of Pittsburgh’s strong depth performances, Watt is an irreplaceable player who could be vital if the Steelers hope to earn a postseason berth Sunday night. Steelers-Ravens kicks off at 8:20 p.m. EST from Acrisure Stadium with all the marbles at stake.

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