The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns in a potentially big AFC North matchup Sunday in Week 17 at Huntington Bank Field, and star outside linebacker T.J. Watt return to the lineup.
Watt has missed the last two games after suffering a partially collapsed lung following dry-needling treatment at the Steelers’ facility, leading to a stay in the hospital and surgery to repair a tiny hole in his lung. Watt missed games against the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, but did return to practice this week albeit in a limited capacity.
It remains to be seen what Watt’s status will be for the matchup with the Browns after Friday’s practice since he was limited Wednesday and Thursday. But according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team is considering holding out Watt another week and have him ready if needed the following Sunday.
“It remains unclear if Watt is going to play this Sunday against the Browns as the Steelers weigh whether or not to give him another week with a potential AFC North title game looming in Week 18 against the Ravens. If Baltimore loses on Saturday night to the Packers, the Steelers would clinch the division,” Pelissero said, according to video via NFL Network. “They could give Watt another week of rest. Even if the Ravens win, they could still hold out Watt because if the Steelers lose to the Browns, then that Week 18 game indeed would be for the division and a spot in the playoffs.”
During his Tuesday press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t rule out resting key players against the Browns, depending on what happens Saturday night between the Ravens and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
If the Ravens lose to the Packers or the game ends in a tie, the Steelers will clinch the AFC North. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful for that game Saturday night, dealing a major blow to Baltimore. That could afford Tomlin and his coaching staff to be mindful of playing time in the final two weeks of the season, which would center directly on Watt.
Prior to missing the last two weeks, Watt wasn’t his usual dominant self. While he did earn a Pro Bowl berth earlier in the week, Watt has just seven sacks and 43 pressures this season and has struggled to deal with some of the chips and double-teams he’s faced.
In his place in the last two weeks, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer have played well, stepping up in a time of need to hold down a key position defensively. Watt needs to get back in game shape for the playoffs though and having him take more time off even if he is ready to play seems a bit counterproductive for the Black and Gold.
If he’s able to play this week and the Steelers have the division locked up before they even kick off, be mindful of his snap count against the Browns, but get him some work. Then, he can sit out a meaningless Week 18 game against the Ravens.
But if he’s going to be impactful in the playoffs, he needs to get his legs back underneath him, and the only way to do that is through live reps in games.