The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding out hope that T.J. Watt can make his way back to the field sooner rather than later. The All-Pro pass rusher is currently sidelined with a lung injury, but there’s optimism inside the building that he could return as early as Week 16 against the Detroit Lions.
According to a report, the Steelers are “hopeful” Watt will be ready for that pivotal matchup. That’s a significant development, considering Watt’s importance to a defense that has leaned heavily on his presence all season long.
He’s been a force off the edge with seven sacks and three forced fumbles, and his motor rarely cools. Simply put, when Watt is on the field, Pittsburgh’s defense plays with a different kind of edge.
The injury itself was serious - Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung, the result of a dry needling procedure gone wrong. He underwent surgery to repair the damage and was hospitalized following the incident.
His brother, J.J. Watt, confirmed the surgery was successful, but the Steelers didn’t waste time ruling him out for their Week 15 clash with the Miami Dolphins.
At 7-6, the Steelers are clinging to the top spot in the AFC North. Their most recent win - a gritty one over the Baltimore Ravens - gave them the inside track in a division that’s been a dogfight all season. That win could end up being a turning point, but with four games to go, nothing is guaranteed.
The road ahead isn’t easy. Pittsburgh still has to face the Dolphins, Browns, Lions and Ravens - all teams either in the playoff hunt or fighting for seeding.
And with Watt out for at least another week, the pressure falls on the rest of the defense to hold the line. Guys like Alex Highsmith and Minkah Fitzpatrick will need to elevate their play to keep the Steelers’ postseason hopes alive.
This season has been anything but predictable for Pittsburgh. A quarterback carousel saw Justin Fields and Russell Wilson both take turns under center before Aaron Rodgers took over the reins. That kind of instability at the game’s most important position has made it tough for the Steelers to find consistent rhythm on offense.
Still, this team has shown resilience. They’ve found ways to win ugly, leaning on their defense and timely plays. And if Watt can return in time for the stretch run, it could be the boost they need to lock down a playoff spot - and maybe more.
For now, Watt will be on the sideline Monday night when the Steelers take on the Dolphins. But don’t expect him to be far from the action.
If there’s one thing you can count on with T.J. Watt, it’s that he’ll be locked in, even from the sideline - and the rest of the Steelers will be counting on that energy as they fight to stay atop the AFC North.