T.J. Watt’s return for the Pittsburgh Steelers finally receives a deadline following latest update from NFL insider
Here is when the Pittsburgh Steelers can expect T.J. Watt back.
Ever since T.J. Watt’s lung was punctured, the question everyone wanted to know was when the Pittsburgh Steelers star would return to action. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers had been playing the injury status close to the vest, with questions about whether or not Watt was even in the building just last week.
Then, we saw Watt return to practice on Wednesday, logging limited participation levels but still being deemed out on the final injury report. However, that return provided some optimism, with NFL insider Tom Pelissero reporting when exactly Watt is expected to be back in black and gold.
T.J. Watt expected back for next meaningful game
“The Steelers have ruled out T.J. Watt once again for this game, his third straight game that he has missed now as he recovers from a procedure to fix a small hole in his lung,” said Pelissero via NFL Network on Saturday. “Everybody involved, especially T.J. Watt, has wanted to be very deliberate about his return to action. However, he practiced on a limited basis this week, and my understanding is watt is expected to be available for the Steelers next meaningful game.”
“The only question is, will that be next week against the Ravens, or not until the wild card round? A Ravens loss tonight, or a Steelers win Sunday over the Browns, would mean that they have wrapped up the AFC North title. If they need T.J. Watt week 18, if the AFC North is still up for grabs, expect watt to be on the field; however, Ravens loss, or Steelers win tomorrow will give everybody an opportunity to get a little extra rest before a home wild card playoff game.”
Let’s just say that by some chance, a Ravens team without Lamar Jackson beats the Green Bay Packers. It is plausible, given that the Packers already have the playoffs wrapped up and will be starting a backup of their own.
Now let’s really get weird and say that a depleted Steelers team loses to the Browns. Suddenly, the Steelers are in a do-or-die, winner-take-all scenario for the AFC North title next weekend. You better believe that’s the exact situation the NFL is hoping for with Lamar Jackson and Watt potentially returning to health just in time for the regular season finale.
That’s why ending any chance of that happening against the Browns on Sunday should be a must for the Steelers. This game should be treated like a playoff game. Unless the Ravens lose of course, and then the Steelers can wear their hats and t-shirts to the stadium as champions of the AFC North.
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