T.J. Watt

Watt popped up on Thursday’s injury report with a calf injury and was listed as limited. On Friday, he was upgraded to a full participant in what was an estimated report, but he does not carry an injury status heading into the weekend. S DeShon Elliott (knee) is listed as questionable but was listed as a full participant throughout the week.

It’s a new injury today that kept Watt to a limited session. We’re not overly concerned about it, and the fact that the Steelers are traveling overseas will likely keep practices lighter anyway. We expect the 32-year-old to suit up again on Sunday morning.

Watt, 31, and Highsmith, 28, were the starting EDGE rushers last year. Their 24-year-old backup, LB Nick Herbig, signed a four-year, $100 million extension on Tuesday, prompting questions as to whether the Steelers could consider trading away one of their two veterans. Highsmith was not present at mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, but this was reportedly due to a stomach bug, not discontent over his backup’s big payday. Per Rapoport, Watt’s “enormous” contract, coupled with the amount of money the Steelers have invested elsewhere in their EDGE unit, means that they will probably “have a decision to make” in 2027.

As Fowler notes, Steelers EDGE Nick Herbig is a free agent next offseason. Pittsburgh’s No. 3 pass-rusher is expected to be a hot name on the open market. The Steelers could work toward an extension for him before that happens, but they can’t realistically pay Watt, Herbig, and T.J. Watt top dollar. A Herbig extension might make Watt more valuable to the team as a trade asset. Still, it’s hard to believe the Steelers would trade one of the faces of their franchise at the tail end of his prime. How both he and Herbig play in 2026 will determine what GM Omar Khan does next offseason.

Watt isn’t expected to get his usual amount of snaps, but the future Hall of Famer will be able to held as a pass-rusher in sub-packages in the winner-take-all game. The Steelers inactives for Week 18 will be WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Tre Flowers, LB Jeremiah Moon and OT Jack Driscoll.

An interview with DC Teryl Austin foreshadowed that Watt may be kept to sub-package work this week, but anything the Steelers can get from him in a must-win AFC North title game will be appreciated. Watt missed Weeks 15-17 after undergoing surprise surgery to repair his lung following a dry needling. He has seven sacks in 13 games started this season.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin previously said Watt needs to get in a week of full practices before being cleared. His limited participation is encouraging, but he is not yet guaranteed to suit up on game day, which means Watt may have played his last snap of the season already. The Steelers (9-7) and Ravens (8-8) are playing for a trip to the postseason on Sunday.

Watt was limited in practice last week but didn’t play on Sunday. Mike Tomlin previously said that Watt needs to get in a week of full practices before being cleared. His limited designation today means that he isn’t likely to suit up this week. Losing Watt will be a big blow to a Steelers defense that will need to keep Lamar Jackson in check to punch their ticket to the playoffs via an AFC North title.

That’s not to necessarily Watt has a good chance given the reporting we’ve already had that he’s a long shot, and the qualifier “in recent weeks” is holding up the optimism. We think Watt has a chance to play, but he’ll probably have to start practicing in full by Thursday for Tomlin to confidently plug him in for the AFC North championship on Sunday night.

“Never say never but not an ideal timeline to be fully cleared,” the source added. PFT also adds that Mike Tomlin told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson that Watt won’t play until he has a “week of practice as a full participant,” meaning the tea leaves could reveal themselves rather quickly on Wednesday. Watt got in three limited practices last week.

The Steelers can win the AFC North today with a victory over the Browns. That would lock them in as the No. 4 seed in the AFC. It would also make their Week 18 date with the Ravens meaningless, and the Steelers would obviously choose to hold him out for that contest. If they lose today, Watt would seemingly be on the field for an AFC North title match versus Baltimore.

He was limited in practice all three days this week, but apparently wasn’t quite ready yet. Steelers beats believe he will talk to reporters next week. It’s possible Watt misses Week 18 if the Steelers clinch a playoff spot on Saturday or Sunday.

It’s a really good sign for Watt, who hasn’t played since Week 14 after suffering a partially collapsed lung. He was hospitalized just before the team’s Week 15 game and has been out ever since. Watt may still need another week or two before he is ready to return, but it looks like, at worst, he will be back for the postseason.

Watt is dealing with a partially collapsed lung. He was hospitalized with the issue ahead of the Steelers’ Week 15 game against the Dolphins. Watt did not play in that game and has already been ruled out for Week 16. Per Schefter, “Watt’s focus has been on getting healthy,” and returning to the field is secondary. At this point, it’s safe to say Watt is unlikely to suit up in Week 17. The Steelers may ultimately choose to hold him out until the playoffs, if they make the postseason.

Watt didn’t practice all week, but was spotted in the facility today. Perhaps we’ll get more clarity from him before the end of the day on the timeline for his recovery, he obviously wasn’t close to playing after not practicing all week. Fellow EDGE Nick Herbig (hamstring) is doubtful after a limited session on Friday.

It definitely appears to be trending towards Watt missing another week after emergency surgery to repair a partially-collapsed lung last week. He hasn’t practiced since, understandably so. The Steelers will likely be without their best pass rusher against the Lions. Nick Herbig (hamstring) also missed his second-straight practice on Thursday and seems unlikely to go in Week 16.

According to Watt, the Steelers’ pass-rusher suffered a collapsed lung during a “dry needling treatment session at the facility.” Watt’s recovery time is unknown, but it’s safe to assume he will miss the Week 15 game against the Dolphins. Watt is expected to return at some point this season.

Watt was hospitalized with a lung issue on Wednesday and was unsurprisingly listed as a DNP on Thursday. He’ll have some extra time to get ready ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Dolphins, but given the nature of the injury, this may not be something Watt can “tough it out” to play through. With two days of practice left to go, we’ll continue to monitor his status throughout the week, but the Steelers could be down their top defensive player in a pivotal Week 15 matchup.

This news comes directly from the team. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauden added that Watt will not practice on Thursday and his status for Monday’s game is in question. Head coach Mike Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time. It’s a scary update for one of the best defenders in the league. The hope will be that this is a short-term issue, but it’s too early to say anything definitively. We don’t expect Watt to suit up versus the Dolphins on Monday.

Steelers LB Patrick Queen (glute) will also play. Watt took the day off on Wednesday before practicing fully thereafter. Queen did the same to begin the week but only managed limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Watt has generated 39 quarterback pressures and eight sacks, while Queen has racked up 58 tackles. Having both players active is helpful.