Steelers Insider Reveals Timeline For TJ Watt To Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been trying to figure out exactly what went down with TJ Watt and the dry needling incident. Watt was receiving routine treatment using dry needling when an accident occurred during a Steelers team-building session. The mishap resulted in Watt suffering a collapsed lung, forcing him to be rushed to the hospital. The severity of the injury immediately cast doubt on his availability for upcoming games, including the Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Fans were left anxiously speculating about how long it would take for Watt to return to the field.

As a result of the incident, Watt was forced to miss the game against Miami, leaving a significant void in the Steelers’ pass rush. His absence puts added pressure on the defensive unit to step up, especially in high-stakes matchups late in the season. The timing of the injury couldn’t have been worse, as Pittsburgh has relied heavily on Watt’s leadership and production to anchor their defense. Fans and analysts alike have been closely monitoring updates from the team to gauge when the star linebacker might be able to rejoin practice and game action. The silver lining is the fact that Watt is now buying time to get extra rest while he recovers.

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo spoke about Watt’s recovery plan on 93.7 The Fan, providing some insight into what the team envisions for his return. According to Fittipaldo, the Steelers are taking a cautious approach, prioritizing Watt’s long-term health while aiming to have him back on the field as soon as safely possible. The hope is that, with careful monitoring and rehabilitation, Watt could return for critical games down the stretch, giving Pittsburgh the boost it needs in the playoff hunt. Fans remain hopeful, knowing that when Watt does return, he will instantly elevate the team’s defensive presence.

"Yeah, I still believe that is the case," Fittipaldo said while speaking about Watt coming back for the Browns game. "I think everyone knows he was in the building today. I do not think that Detroit is a possibility now since he has not practiced yet."

It sounds like many around the team believe Watt is expected to return in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns. That game will be on the road in Cleveland and, depending on what happens in the coming weeks, could carry significant playoff implications. 

Fittipaldo seems confident that the team still believes Watt will, at the very least, return before the regular season ends. The hopeful timeline of Week 17 gives fans a clearer picture of the situation and something to look forward to as Pittsburgh navigates the final stretch of the season.

"Everyone recovers differently from different types of injuries," Fittipaldo said. "It does seem like this is taking a little longer than anticipated but still the expectation within that building are still that he is gonna return this season."

Steelers Missing A Couple Key Players Against Detroit

Fittipaldo highlighted that it doesn’t look like Herbig will be able to play, which is a significant blow, especially with Watt already sidelined. He didn’t practice for a second day in a row, and with a short week coming up, his availability appears even more doubtful. 

This opens a major opportunity for Jack Sawyer, who will be making his first NFL start against the league’s top-ranked offense and going up against Lions star offensive lineman Penei Sewell, according to Fittipaldo. With key players out, the Steelers’ defense will need standout performances from younger contributors like Sawyer to stay competitive, making this matchup a critical test for both the team and its emerging talent.

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