The Steelers, in need of a spark having lost five of their last six games, got some positive news Wednesday. But the team also made a tough decision on a promising young player.
First, the good news. Star outside linebacker TJ Watt returned to practice, activating his window to return in the next three weeks.
Watt has been on injured reserve since Week 2 with a pectoral injury. During his recovery, he reportedly had a procedure done to repair a knee issue, as well.
“He’s a tremendous player, no doubt about it,” outside linebacker Malik Reed said. “To have a player like that, in this defense, it does wonders for us. He’s getting healthy and we can’t wait to have him back.”
In Pittsburgh’s opener in Cincinnati, Watt made six tackles, had a sack, an interception and broke up two passes. The Steelers won, 23-20, in overtime.
The team, in that game, recorded seven sacks. They have sacked the quarterback just eight times over the last 6 games. The Steelers’ defense also forced five Cincinnati turnovers, and have taken the ball away just five times since.
With the move, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year now has 21 days to be activated to the active roster. If he is not, he will be put on season-ending injured reserve.
“It’s great to have him, as a teammate, as a brother, coming back,” Reed said. “But we have to be ready to go. We’re welcoming him back and are excited for it.”
Austin III done for year
The good news of Watt’s return also came with a bit of a sour note for the Steelers.
Rookie wide receiver Calvin Austin III will not play in 2022 following a preseason foot injury.
Austin, who has been out since the Steelers’ first preseason game, returned to practice three weeks ago.
But Wednesday was the final day that he could be activated, and he was not.
During his press conference Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that activating Austin, “hasn’t been high priority for me at this juncture.”
Added Tomlin: “This guy hasn’t played in a stadium yet anyways. He hasn’t played in a preseason stadium. So, it’s more about development for him, and that’s the perspective that I have.”
Despite Tomlin’s response, it seems as if Austin, in his attempt to return, suffered a setback that will end his rookie season before it even begins.
The Steelers’ fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, a speedster form Memphis who shined several times in camp, will be eligible to return in 2023.