Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing as if outside linebacker T.J. Watt will make his return to the lineup this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said, but how much he’ll be able to play remains unknown.
Watt has been out of the Steelers’ lineup since suffering a partially collapsed lung after undergoing treatment at the team’s facility on Dec. 10, missing the last three game. Watt returned to practice in a limited capacity last week, and was still limited in Wednesday’s first session of Week 18, but when asked about the potential of a return in his weekly press conference on Thursday, Austin was fairly definitive — at least when it comes to the chances of Watt donning his familiar No. 90 this week.
“It’ll be great to have him back” Austin said. “In what capacity? We’ll find out, but not ’til Sunday.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that it would be “more comforting” if Watt was able to fully participate in a practice before Sunday’s regular season finale, but did not say it was essential in order for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year to get back into the lineup.
He also said that he would consider using Watt, even if he was only able to play a limited role.
“We want to be cautious about how we work him back into the fold,” Tomlin said. “I’m open to utilizing him in any way that’s appropriate relative to his availability.”
Right outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has been playing well with Watt out, with two sacks, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits over the last three weeks. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer, have combined to fill in on the left side, have not been as productive. Herbig had one tackle over two games, while Sawyer has 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and an interception.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: It Sure Sounds Like Steelers OLB T.J. Watt Is Going to Play This Week
