The Steelers got an early Christmas present on Wednesday as their T.J. Watt returned to the practice field for the first time since suffering a partially collapsed lung. Their star defender has missed the last two games since suffering the injury.
While Watt did return to the practice field, it seems as if he was doing more individual drills than anything. With a complex injury like a collapsed
lung, seeing how his body responds to increased activity will be key to determining how soon he can return. The main goal for Watt and the Steelers has always been to avoid rushing Watt back, given the severity of the injury.
The return to the practice field is undoubtedly a sign that Watt could return to the field sooner rather than later for the Steelers. While the return to the practice field is a start, his participation the rest of the week will determine his game status for the team’s game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
While the star defender has been recovering, the Steelers have had to rely on their depth. Jack Sawyer has stepped up in recent weeks, with Nick Herbig also missing time to injury. Getting Watt back on the field just in time for the playoffs seems to be in the realm of possibilities for the Steelers. That will be important if the Steelers want to be full strength as they attempt to end their playoff victory drought.
