Steelers name the final test that T.J. Watt must pass to return to action for AFC North championship game against Ravens
Here’s what the Steelers need to see from T.J. Watt, starting on Wednesday, if he’s going to play against the Ravens.
The two highest-paid players in terms of average salary per year on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster are DK Metcalf ($33 million APY) and T.J. Watt ($41 million APY). Last week against the Cleveland Browns, both players were out, and it showed.
This week, with the AFC North on the line and potentially much more at stake, there is a chance it happens again. Of course, Metcalf will be serving the second of his two-game suspension, but for Watt, there is optimism that his return could be near. He just needs to achieve one more task.
Steelers optimistic about T.J., Watt, need to see him practice in full
“Although I hadn’t seen T.J. today, optimistic about his potential inclusion in this game [vs Ravens]. 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,” said Mike Tomlin during his weekly address on Tuesday via the Steelers YouTube channel. “But certainly am more optimistic this week than I have been in previous weeks as I stand here today.”
The Steelers tend to err on the side of caution with every injury, and especially those affecting their star players. However, given that Watt wasn’t actually injured but instead underwent surgery after a partially collapsed lung, Pittsburgh and Tomlin are being very diligent in his rehabilitation.
“Practice participation certainly would be more comforting in terms of making the decision given he’s coming back from a medical circumstance,” added Tomlin. “He’s coming off of a medical circumstance, different than an injury circumstance, and so certainly he has a certain level of health.”
“We want to be cautious about how we work him back into the fold, and certainly, he’s done appropriate things in that area as well. And as I mentioned last week, I’m sure you guys will be hearing from him sooner rather than later.”
Why T.J. Watt missing time could help the Steelers
There is a silver lining in all of this. Should Watt play against the Ravens, the Steelers will be getting Watt in a state they have never seen from him this late in the season. As long as conditioning is up to snuff (it’s T.J. Watt, it will be), missing three games is three fewer games of bumps and bruises associated with play. Three fewer games of wear and tear.
That could be an ace in the hole on Sunday night.
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