Steelers’ T.J. Watt questionable, ‘leaving the door’ open to play Sunday

Not unlike how he might slip through a seam between two offensive linemen, T.J. Watt is hoping to prevent his chances of playing Sunday from slamming shut.

“I felt like I did a good amount this week,” Watt said Friday, “to leave the door open for Sunday.”

Per the league-mandated injury report released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, Watt is listed as questionable to play against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.

After after suffering a groin injury late in the first half of last week’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Watt was listed as a limited participant in all three practices this week. Watt said the lack of on-field prep won’t be an issue should he play against the Bengals. The lone determining factor will be the condition of his groin.

“Doesn’t matter how many reps I get throughout the week,” Watt said after Friday’s practice. “I was able to still run around here and do a lot of things that I need to do to keep the door open for Sunday. I’m excited to get the rest of today and (Saturday) to continue to improve my body and see where I’m at on Sunday.”

TJ Watt answering as much as he will about his injury status pic.twitter.com/kjSogzzRgY

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 24, 2021

Watt said the decision to play won’t be influenced by the absence of the Steelers’ other starting outside linebacker, Alex Highsmith, who also has a groin injury.

Veteran Melvin Ingram will earn more snaps in Highsmith’s stead, with Jamir Jones playing a bigger role at outside linebacker. Jones would start if Watt cannot play. There are two outside linebackers on the Steelers’ practice squad: Delontae Scott and Taco Charlton. Charlton, a 2017 first-round pick, was signed Tuesday.

Teams are permitted to activate up to two practice-squad players to the active roster for a given game.

“The standard is the standard here no matter who’s out there,” Watt said.

Watt, though, leaves quite the standard to meet, as a two-time finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Watt has three sacks in his three halves of football played this season.

Watt said during the game against the Raiders he felt a “tweak here or there (in his groin) and then tried to push through it” before ultimately deciding it was better to take a precautious approach.

“It always comes back to being smart,” Watt said, “so you don’t miss extended periods of time as well.”

The finicky nature of groin injuries plays a factor in Watt’s status Sunday. Watt has missed only one game because of injury over an NFL career that spans four-plus seasons. It was during Week 3 of his rookie season, also a groin ailment.

“This isn’t going around and playing Pee Wee football,” Watt said. “This is playing against guys doing this for a living, so trying to be smart. At the same time, knowing your body more than anything.”

Even when completely healthy, Watt has been open about a desire to sit out some plays so he’s as fresh as possible. Sitting out team drills throughout training camp furthered that strategy early this season.

Aside from watching his snap count, though, Watt said he’s confident that, if he plays, he will be at 100%.

“That will never be a question for me,” Watt said. “If I’m going to play, I’m going to play like I always do.”

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