PITTSBURGH — Star pass rusher T.J. Watt returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a partially punctured lung during a dry needling treatment. The injury, which required reparative surgery, sidelined him for two weeks and caused him to miss the last two games. Watt participated as a limited participant, engaging in individual drills with the defense.
His teammates expressed enthusiasm about his return. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith noted, “It’s awesome to have him out there. Just seeing him back on the field with us, he’s getting better every single day.” Highsmith emphasized Watt’s leadership role, stating, “Just to have him back out there, just as a leader for our group, it’s just awesome to see.”
The excitement surrounding Watt’s return was palpable. A tweet featuring his practice session was captioned, “A Christmas Eve gift for the Steelers: T.J. Watt is back on the practice field today.”
During practice, Watt appeared to focus on cardio exercises rather than performing pass rush moves, which typically involve more intense upper body movements. Observers noticed that he was cautious about raising his arms during drills with tackling dummies, choosing instead to work with defensive linemen on conditioning.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers shared his thoughts after practice, saying, “T.J.’s one of our leaders, so I love having him around. Not sure what his status is going to be, but just his presence is good for our team.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media on Tuesday, stating that Watt’s status for the upcoming game against Cleveland, which could see the Steelers clinch the AFC North title and a playoff berth, remains uncertain. Tomlin expressed confidence in Watt’s recovery, saying, “That’s a fair estimation, but again, I’ll let him speak in terms of his medical.” He acknowledged his limitations in discussing injuries, emphasizing the importance of Watt’s own updates.
In addition to Watt’s return, fellow pass rusher Nick Herbig also participated in practice as a limited participant. Herbig had missed the previous game against the Lions due to a hamstring injury, but his presence adds depth to the Steelers’ defensive lineup.
As the team prepares for the critical game against Cleveland, Watt’s involvement in practice provides a boost in morale and a reminder of his significance to the Steelers’ defensive strategy. His recovery and potential return to full form will be closely monitored as the team aims for a successful end to the season.
