The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into a crucial interconference clash with the Detroit Lions, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher. But as the team preps for Sunday’s game, there’s a cloud hanging over practice - and it’s shaped like No. 90.
T.J. Watt, the heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s defense, was absent from Wednesday’s session due to a lung issue.
That’s not just a blip on the injury report - that’s a potential game-changer. Watt isn’t just a pass rusher; he’s a tone-setter, a disruptor, and the kind of player who forces offenses to rewrite their game plans.
Without him, the Steelers’ defense loses more than just production. It loses its edge - literally and figuratively.
At 8-6, the Steelers are clinging to the top of the AFC North and riding the momentum of back-to-back wins. But with Watt’s availability in doubt, the path to a third straight victory just got steeper. Especially against a Lions team that, despite recent stumbles, still brings plenty of firepower and sits at the same 8-6 mark in the NFC.
The injury report didn’t stop with Watt. Pittsburgh’s Wednesday update was more crowded than they’d like this late in the season.
Guard Isaac Seumalo was sidelined with a triceps injury, while linebacker Nick Herbig missed time due to a hamstring issue. Cornerback James Pierre also sat out with a calf problem - more depth concerns for a defense that may already be stretched thin.
There were a few silver linings. Wide receiver Ben Skowronek was limited while managing a hand injury and illness, and offensive lineman Andrus Peat also practiced in a limited capacity as he works through concussion protocol.
T.J. Watt (lung) did not practice today. Isaac Seumalo (triceps), Nick Herbig (hami) and James Pierre (calf) were also out.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) December 17, 2025
Limited: Ben Skowronek (hand/ illness), Andrus Peat (concussion).
DT Derrick Harmon was full go and seems to be on pace to return on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/TEMcQFGjd3
But the best news came from the middle of the defense: interior lineman Derrick Harmon was a full participant and appears on track to return Sunday. That’s a boost the Steelers will gladly take, especially if they’re forced to go without their defensive cornerstone.
Let’s be clear: T.J. Watt’s presence transforms this defense.
His ability to collapse pockets, force hurried throws, and create chaos off the edge is what allows the rest of the unit to operate with confidence. When he’s on the field, offensive coordinators have to account for him on every snap.
When he’s not, that margin for error shrinks fast - especially against a Lions offense that, despite its inconsistencies, still has plenty of ways to hurt you.
Detroit comes into this one with something to prove. After a tough loss to the Rams, they’re looking to bounce back and stay in the NFC playoff picture.
They may be third in the NFC North, but at 8-6, they’re very much in the thick of things. And they know the opportunity Sunday presents - a chance to notch a statement win on the road against a playoff-caliber AFC team.
This isn’t just a cross-conference matchup. It’s a December measuring stick.
Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning, and both are coming off emotional swings. The lights will be bright, the stakes high, and every snap will matter.
For Pittsburgh, the formula is familiar: lean on depth, manufacture pressure, and trust the secondary to hold up. Harmon’s return helps solidify the interior, but if Watt can’t go, the Steelers will need someone - or a group of someones - to step up and fill the void. That’s easier said than done.
This team has weathered adversity all season. They’ve found ways to win ugly, to grind out close games, and to keep themselves in the hunt.
But this latest hurdle feels different. Watt isn’t just another name on the injury list.
He’s the engine. And if he’s not roaring on Sunday, the Steelers will need to find a new gear - fast.