T.J.

Watt

Watt isn’t expected to get his usual amount of snaps, but the future Hall of Famer will be able to held as a pass-rusher in sub-packages in the winner-take-all game. The Steelers inactives for Week 18 will be WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Tre Flowers, LB Jeremiah Moon and OT Jack Driscoll.

An interview with DC Teryl Austin foreshadowed that Watt may be kept to sub-package work this week, but anything the Steelers can get from him in a must-win AFC North title game will be appreciated. Watt missed Weeks 15-17 after undergoing surprise surgery to repair his lung following a dry needling. He has seven sacks in 13 games started this season.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin previously said Watt needs to get in a week of full practices before being cleared. His limited participation is encouraging, but he is not yet guaranteed to suit up on game day, which means Watt may have played his last snap of the season already. The Steelers (9-7) and Ravens (8-8) are playing for a trip to the postseason on Sunday.

Watt was limited in practice last week but didn’t play on Sunday. Mike Tomlin previously said that Watt needs to get in a week of full practices before being cleared. His limited designation today means that he isn’t likely to suit up this week. Losing Watt will be a big blow to a Steelers defense that will need to keep Lamar Jackson in check to punch their ticket to the playoffs via an AFC North title.

That’s not to necessarily Watt has a good chance given the reporting we’ve already had that he’s a long shot, and the qualifier “in recent weeks” is holding up the optimism. We think Watt has a chance to play, but he’ll probably have to start practicing in full by Thursday for Tomlin to confidently plug him in for the AFC North championship on Sunday night.

“Never say never but not an ideal timeline to be fully cleared,” the source added. PFT also adds that Mike Tomlin told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson that Watt won’t play until he has a “week of practice as a full participant,” meaning the tea leaves could reveal themselves rather quickly on Wednesday. Watt got in three limited practices last week.

The Steelers can win the AFC North today with a victory over the Browns. That would lock them in as the No. 4 seed in the AFC. It would also make their Week 18 date with the Ravens meaningless, and the Steelers would obviously choose to hold him out for that contest. If they lose today, Watt would seemingly be on the field for an AFC North title match versus Baltimore.

He was limited in practice all three days this week, but apparently wasn’t quite ready yet. Steelers beats believe he will talk to reporters next week. It’s possible Watt misses Week 18 if the Steelers clinch a playoff spot on Saturday or Sunday.

It’s a really good sign for Watt, who hasn’t played since Week 14 after suffering a partially collapsed lung. He was hospitalized just before the team’s Week 15 game and has been out ever since. Watt may still need another week or two before he is ready to return, but it looks like, at worst, he will be back for the postseason.

Watt is dealing with a partially collapsed lung. He was hospitalized with the issue ahead of the Steelers’ Week 15 game against the Dolphins. Watt did not play in that game and has already been ruled out for Week 16. Per Schefter, “Watt’s focus has been on getting healthy,” and returning to the field is secondary. At this point, it’s safe to say Watt is unlikely to suit up in Week 17. The Steelers may ultimately choose to hold him out until the playoffs, if they make the postseason.