Total Pro Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped some bad news on star edge rusher TJ Watt ahead of Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns.
TJ Watt has missed the Steelers’ last two games with a collapsed lung that required him to be hospitalized. Unfortunately, the future Hall of Famer still hasn’t been cleared for a return to the field.
Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the Steelers have ruled Watt out for Sunday’s clash in Cleveland. Cornerbacks James Pierre and Brandin Echols and wide receiver Calvin Austin III have also been ruled out.
TJ Watt is OUT vs. Cleveland
Also out: WR Calvin Austin III (hamstring), Brandin Echols (groin), James Pierre (calf)
G Isaac Seumalo (triceps) and S Jalen Ramsey (illness) are questionable
Nick Herbig, however, is off the injury report and is good to go. pic.twitter.com/bfNPokOfss
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 26, 2025
The TJ Watt-less Steelers can clinch the AFC North this weekend with a win over Cleveland or a Baltimore Ravens loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Lamar Jackson is doubtful to play against the Packers with a back injury. So, there’s already a high chance that Pittsburgh will have clinched the division before they take on Shedeur Sanders and company.
TJ Watt won’t be the only Pittsburgh star inactive for Sunday. Star wide receiver DK Metcalf was handed a two-game suspension for punching a Detroit Lions fan at Ford Field in Week 16.
The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. There, they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round at Arrowhead Stadium. Watt was drafted by Pittsburgh a few months later.
Incredibly, Watt has yet to experience a single playoff in his Hall of Fame-caliber career. Pittsburgh went one-and-done in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024. And they weren’t particularly close to winning either of those games.
But Pittsburgh is on the verge of securing the division and a home playoff game. With Aaron Rodgers leading the offense, this might be Pittsburgh’s best chance to win a playoff contest in the Watt era.
