The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for what will be the biggest game of the season on Sunday Night Football this weekend, as they’re set to take on the Baltimore Ravens in a game that will determine the AFC North and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
Outside of Pittsburgh’s on-field play, the biggest story in the Steel City this month has been TJ Watt’s status. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during a dry needling recovery session, and underwent surgery to repair it just three weeks ago on Dec. 12.
Watt did not practice for two weeks after the surgery, but was listed as a limited participant all of week 17, and has been an LP in each practice this week as well.
NFL insider Ian Rapaport gave an update on his status heading into this massive game.
“There was some optimism earlier in the week, and to my knowledge, nothing has waned,” Rapaport said. “The only concerning thing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and TJ Watt is he has not been a full participant yet in practice. If he is not a full participant [Friday] then you really do wonder is he going to be out there for a ‘win-and-in’ game for the Steelers.”
Watt Looking to Return to Field For “Win-and-In” Game
Watt has continued to be an absolute force on the field this season, registering seven sacks, 53 tackles, and an interception. The perennial Pro-Bowler and All-Pro is one of the most feared players in the league for a reason, and if he’s out there against a banged up Lamar Jackson this weekend, he could very well be the difference between a win and a loss for Pittsburgh.
Based on all reports coming out of Steelers practices, Watt’s status seems to be dependent on his own comfortability as he recovers from a pretty significant surgery. If this weren’t such a meaningful game, a surgery to repair a collapsed lung would likely have kept him out for at least a month.
But as it stands, Watt seems to be doing everything he can to play this weekend. He’s known as one of the strongest competitors in the league, so we have every right to believe that if he’s given the green light, he’ll be a go on Sunday night.
Tomlin vs. Harbaugh: Both May Be Coaching For Jobs
Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh are two of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL, and for good reason. They’ve each won a Super Bowl with their respective teams, though Tomlin’s came 16 years ago in 2009 and Harbaugh’s 12 years ago in 2013.
Now, both franchises find themselves at a crossroads. For Pittsburgh, it’s been serial mediocrity for the last decade; they haven’t had a losing season in Tomlin’s 19 year tenure, but they haven’t won a single playoff game since 2016. Many wonder if he’s lost the locker room in Pittsburgh.
For Baltimore, Harbaugh has come up short with a tailor made roster for the last six seasons. He hasn’t been able to get over the hump with a generational talent like Lamar Jackson, and speculation has grown that both he and Jackson’s time may be up in Baltimore.
For the winner of this game, a playoff date awaits. For the loser, it may be an overhaul for the organization.
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