Though information is still trickling in, ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks it’ll be an upset if T.J. Watt can make it back in time for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. Offering his insight after Thursday’s news that Watt is in the hospital having his lung evaluated, Schefter isn’t expecting the seven-time Pro Bowler back for Week 15.
“He spent a night in the hospital,” Schefter said during NFL Live. “He’s still in the hospital after suffering a lung injury yesterday, and we’ll see whether he can make it back on Monday.
“But my understanding is at this point, that would seem to be a surprise. And it looks like the Steelers are left to make do on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins without their standout pass rusher T.J. Watt.”
Obviously, Watt did not practice as one of five Steelers who didn’t participate in Thursday’s session.
Speaking to reporters post-practice, Mike Tomlin said he was unsure of Watt’s status for Monday night and information from doctors gathered throughout the rest of Thursday would likely indicate if Watt can play or not. Presumably, Watt remains monitored with potentially more testing being done to evaluate his condition.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t discount Watt’s chances of a quick return. But the team will be cautious and smart with Watt’s health. Logically, going from the hospital with a lung issue on Wednesday to play less than one week later is unlikely. Still, the Steelers have no obligation to make an official ruling on Watt’s status until Saturday when the team issues its final injury report.
If Watt can’t play, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig will start with Jack Sawyer serving as the No. 3 and immediate backup. Including playoffs, Pittsburgh is 1-11 all-time when Watt does not play. That’s a trend the Steelers need to break in a tight division race entering the NFL’s final month.
After beating Baltimore last Sunday, Pittsburgh is looking for its first winning streak since Weeks 3-4 that occurred before the team’s Week 5 bye. The last time the Steelers failed to have a winning streak after the team’s bye came in 2003, which was also the franchise’s last losing season.
