T.J. Watt rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers at their practice facility after undergoing surgery on a partially collapsed lung. The next step is rejoining his teammates on the practice field, and that could take place this week.
“I’m hopeful,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.
Watt has missed the past two games after undergoing a dry needling procedure that accidentally penetrated his lung and led to an overnight hospital stay. The Steelers won both games — they previously were 1-10 lifetime without Watt — and are on the verge of clinching the AFC North title. If the Steelers clinch before they face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Tomlin could be tempted to sit Watt until the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Tomlin was asked whether Watt has gotten past recovering from his procedure and needs merely to return to football shape before he is cleared to play.
“I think that is a fair estimation,” he said. “I’ll let him speak in terms of his medical. For me to talk about injury is one thing. For me to talk about medical is something else.”
Watt hasn’t spoken to reporters since his hospital stay. He was one of two outside linebackers to sit out the Steelers’ game Sunday at Detroit. Nick Herbig missed the game because of a hamstring injury.
“Herbig is looking optimistic in terms of game availability,” Tomlin said. “Certainly, he will be limited early in the week.”
Tomlin offered no update on the status of left guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) and wide receiver Calvin Austin (calf). Seumalo didn’t play against Detroit, and Austin didn’t finish the game because of his injury.
Cornerback James Pierre (calf) could return to practice after missing two games. Tomlin also didn’t have an update on the status of cornerback Brandin Echols, who departed early with a groin injury.
“I’m hopeful because we’re thin in the secondary,” Tomlin said. “That is life this time of year.”
Running back Jaylen Warren and guard Spencer Anderson are dealing with injuries that Tomlin doesn’t think are serious.
