PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – All signs point to a return of TJ Watt from a collapsed lung suffered at the team facilities a few weeks ago.
The Steelers outside linebacker has gone through limited practices the last couple of weeks, but hasn't played since the first Ravens game on December 7. Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he looked great last week at practice. What he said about the concern of not having played football the last couple of games with the Ravens here on Sunday?
“I doubt that T.J. is ever out of football shape or conditioning over the course of a 12-month calendar,” Tomlin said. “I just know how he lives his life and how
he prepares, and how thoughtful he is in terms of what he puts in his body and how he trains. So, I don't imagine that component of it being a major concern.”
On Thursday, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin it will be great to have him back, he just doesn’t know at what capacity for the AFC North title matchup. Tomlin did not rule out the potential of him being a situational player.
“It will be great to have him back,” Austin said. “I would think he will only strengthen our group with how he plays.”
“It’s going to be awesome for us,” said linebacker Alex Highsmith. “He’s our captain. He’s our leader. To have him back is definitely going to be awesome. It’s been awesome having him back at practice this week. You see the joy in him because he truly loves this game. I know it’s been killing him to be out these past few weeks. Having him back would definitely be awesome for us.”
“He’s obviously the best player in the world,” said linebacker Nick Herbig. “It does a lot for us mentally, physically, everything.”
“We're gonna need all the tools we can get,” said Steelers captain Cam Heyward. “Baltimore's coming here and having TJ back definitely stabilizes our group. But we're not just looking to throw him out there and everybody be scared. We need TJ to play TJ ball.”