T.J. Watt, an edge rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers, left the field at the conclusion of the team’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with a sack, six tackles, and the start of the regular season. His pectoral muscle was torn after that game, and he hasn’t played since.
This week could mark his return.
The 2017 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is about to perhaps, possibly even definitely, play shortly. For their home game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Watt and the Steelers are aiming high.
In a pep talk to the McKeesport High School football team on Tuesday before the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League quarterfinals, according to PG Sports Now, Watt remarked, “Hopefully this week.”
“I’m optimistic.”
Watt and safety Damontae Kazee will be watched as they move closer to being game-ready, according to coach Mike Tomlin, who spoke to media before the Steelers’ collective return to practice on Wednesday after their bye week.
This week, Kazee will undoubtedly be taken off the injured reserve list. Although Watt is attempting to return one week earlier, he will undoubtedly take next week off.
Regarding both players, Tomlin stated, “We’ve been optimistic about their inclusion this week. “But once more, we have work ahead of us, and we need to gauge how people are responding to it and how they are feeling after finishing it, among other things.
So, as game time approaches, we’ll merely keep an eye on those players and decide how to proceed as necessary.
In coaching jargon, this implies Watt is so close to being a game-day decision.
Knowing what Watt is all about, he will work to ensure that the choice is that he plays. Watt wants to support his team, after all.
The issue is that the club Watt is rejoining has little resemblance to the one he left behind following the season-opening triumph.