Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt participated in practice all week ahead of Sunday’s home matchup against the Cleveland Browns, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out the four-time All-Pro on Friday.
Watt, 31, was limited all week after missing the past two games after sustaining a partially collapsed lung while undergoing a dry needling treatment Dec. 10 that was intended to stimulate muscle recovery. He had surgery the following day to stabilize and repair the lung.
The eight-time Pro Bowl selection has seven sacks in 13 games in 2025.
With Watt out, Tomlin said the team trusts Jack Sawyer will be ready to go if needed after he stepped up the past two weeks. Linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring), who was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, practiced in full on Friday and has no injury designation.
“Love the work that Jack gave us,” Tomlin said. “Certainly, love the work that Alex Highsmith gave us, although we anticipated it from him. But (Jeremiah) Moon as well. Schematically and strategically, you don’t replace T.J. … We understood that.”
If the Steelers clinch a playoff berth on Saturday night by virtue of the Green Bay Packers beating the Baltimore Ravens, several Pittsburgh players could be held out Sunday.
If the Ravens win at Green Bay, the Week 18 finale between AFC North rivals in Pittsburgh decides the division.
Tomlin said the questions with Watt are not football-related but “medical” in nature, limiting his insight on the matter. From a strictly football standpoint, Tomlin said Watt appears to be fully healed.
–Field Level Media
