T.J. Watt, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ star edge rusher, received a promising injury update as the team gears up for a critical Week 16 divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens. Watt, who left late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with an ankle injury, appears to have avoided any serious damage. After sitting out Tuesday’s practice, Watt returned on Wednesday as a limited participant, signaling a real chance of playing in Saturday’s pivotal game.
Watt has been a game-changing force for the Steelers this season. The Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner boasts 11.5 sacks, 54 tackles, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. In Sunday’s matchup against the Eagles, Watt delivered an outstanding performance, recording seven tackles, two sacks on Jalen Hurts, and a forced fumble before his injury. However, his contributions weren’t enough to prevent a 23-16 loss, marking the Steelers’ 10th consecutive defeat in Philadelphia—a streak dating back 59 years.
Despite the setback, the Steelers clinched a playoff berth following losses by the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. With a 10-4 record, Pittsburgh remains a strong contender in the AFC, but losing Watt for any significant time would be devastating. Head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the significance of Sunday’s loss, urging the media not to “get dramatic,” but the Steelers must find a way to bounce back against a tough Ravens team.
Compounding their challenges, Pittsburgh played without star wide receiver George Pickens in Week 15 due to a hamstring injury. Pickens, who has now missed two consecutive games, has yet to practice this week, leaving his status for the Baltimore matchup uncertain. In his absence, the Steelers will likely lean on wideout Mike Williams, who struggled against Philadelphia but could find more success against Baltimore’s 31st-ranked pass defense.
Saturday’s game sets up as a key battle in the AFC North. The Ravens, sitting at 9-5, are fresh off a commanding win over the New York Giants and will look to avenge their narrow 18-16 loss to the Steelers in Week 11. While Baltimore boasts the league’s best run defense, their vulnerability to the pass provides an opportunity for Pittsburgh’s offense, particularly with Najee Harris struggling to find consistency on the ground this season.
With T.J. Watt’s status trending positively, the Steelers aim to maintain their momentum in the AFC playoff race and secure a season sweep against their division rivals.
