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Steelers Signal T.J. Watt Could Return in Week 18 as Clearance Hinges on Full Practice

Coaches are proceeding cautiously after his lung surgery, leaving activation to final medical approval.

Overview

  • Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said it would be great to have T.J. Watt back but cautioned that his game-day workload will not be known until Sunday.
  • Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he is optimistic about Watt’s status for the winner-take-all showdown with the Ravens.
  • Watt returned to practice as a limited participant and has not logged a full session as of Wednesday.
  • NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Watt must complete a full practice this week to be cleared, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano said the team likely wants multiple full practices.
  • If Watt is not cleared, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are expected to lead Pittsburgh’s edge rushers against Baltimore.