Star Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt looks primed to return to action this week. The team now turns its attention to what feels like an AFC North Championship between the division-leading Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. Watt had surgery to repair a punctured lung on December 11. Only one day later, on Dec. 12, he was discharged from the hospital and has been pushing ever since to get into practice and ultimately back on the field to contribute.
He was a limited participant each day of practice last week, and Watt did return to practice last week. He sat out last week’s match up with division rival the Cleveland Browns. Opening the 1990 season in Pittsburgh, the Steelers were dealt a shocking 13-6 upset defeat. Despite his absence from that match, head coach Mike Tomlin remains optimistic about Watt’s potential inclusion in the upcoming game against the Ravens.
He’s not available to us this week at all,” Tomlin said when discussing Watt’s status after last week’s game against the Browns. Even so, Peters remained optimistic about what Watt can still contribute.
Tomlin stressed the need to keep an eye on Watt’s availability in practice. This evaluation will be hugely pivotal in deciding how much he plays. “We’ll work him up throughout the course of the week and let the amount of participation and the quality of participation be our guide in terms of whether or not he’s a participant,” he noted.
Watt’s case is, indeed, special, in that he is coming back from a medical condition that is not the same as your typical football injury. He previously fractured his forearm in the loss vs the Browns and did not travel back with the team after the game. This season, he’s become an invaluable asset on the field. He’s logged seven sacks, 18 QB hits, two fumble recoveries, and a pick during the times he’s been on the field in good health.
Tomlin sounded highly optimistic about Watt’s prognosis after his surgery. He didn’t close the door on the idea of using Watt situationally if that’s what’s best. “I’m open to utilizing him in any way that’s appropriate relative to his availability,” he explained. Tomlin added, “I doubt that T.J. is ever out of football shape or conditioning over the course of a 12-month calendar.”
With the Steelers needing a win to solidify their playoff berth against a familiar division opponent, Watt’s return may just be the difference. Tomlin conveyed a more positive outlook compared to previous weeks: “Certainly more optimistic this week than I have been in previous weeks as I stand here today.”
As for the Ravens game, Watt’s status will depend on how he practices this week but he will be judged by what his performance indicates. On both sides of the ball, the Steelers can’t wait to welcome their defensive leader back on the field. They’re intent on rounding up a win and locking in at least one playoff berth!
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