T.J. Watt admits that his lung injury comes with a silver lining that the Steelers will take advantage of in the playoffs
T.J. Watt knows that the time off has come with a massive advantage.
The Pittsburgh Steelers escaped “Sunday Night Football” with what will be one of the most memorable regular-season finales in the history of the NFL. After scoring only six points against the Cleveland Browns last week without DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III returned to the lineup, and Pat Freiermuth resembled the middle-of-the-field threat that Pittsburgh paid him to be, helping the Steelers score 28 points.
On defense, the Steelers saw the return of their star and highest-paid player, T.J. Watt. Watt didn’t rack up a ton of numbers in the box score, but you could see his presence in both the run game and as a pass rusher, and if you ask Watt, he’s just getting started as the lung injury came with a silver lining.
T.J. Watt stats vs. Ravens
- 43 defensive snaps
- 3 pressures (1 hit, 2 hurries)
- 1 interception
- 2 total tackles
- 81.0 PFF defensive grade
T.J. Watt says his legs feel fresh after missing last three games
“I feel really good. Honestly, I feel really good,” said Watt after the game via the Steelers YouTube channel. “We’ll see how I feel these next couple days. Nice that we’re playing Monday, so I get extra day, but honestly, I’m really pleased with how I felt. Hats off to the training staff, strength staff, for getting me ready to go. Felt great out there.
“That was part of why I felt so comfortable playing tonight. I knew I was going to be able to play to the best of my ability, as fast as I possibly could. And honestly, my legs just felt really fresh. So that was exciting.”
Now, I’m sure T.J. Watt would be the first to admit that he wishes he had avoided the whole lung procedure and subsequent surgery that required him to miss the last three games. However, that was three fewer games of wear and tear, of tread on the tires, of miles on the odometer.
Watt doesn’t usually get that. He’s asked to play nearly 90% of the snaps, week in and week out. Taking that kind of physical break leaves him the freshest he’s been since Week 1 of the season. You could see it in his burst and bend, and his motor looked as strong as ever on some of those chase-down plays and the interception of Lamar Jackson.
Between Aaron Rodgers playing his best brand of football, Watt being the healthiest he’s been all season, and DK Metcalf returning from suspension, the Steelers may have a real shot at winning a playoff game for the first time in nearly a decade.
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