Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt played 43 defensive snaps last week in his return from lung surgery.
He had missed three straight games and pushed his rehab to return to play in the 26-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens that saw the Steelers win the AFC North and earn a playoff spot.
Now everything feels better to Watt. Two days before Monday’s wild-card contest against the visiting Houston Texans, he has more energy and is in better shape as the Steelers take aim at halting their six-game playoff losing streak.
“I feel great,” Watt said Saturday. “Really confident with how last week went. Body feels really good. Extra day is really helpful, obviously for a lot of guys in this locker room. I’m just excited to go out and play in front of Steelers Nation again.”
Watt, 31, was injured in a freak manner as a “dry needling” treatment intended to aid muscle recovery didn’t go well and left Watt with a partially collapsed lung.
There was no telling how Watt would hold up against Baltimore but he played in 83% of the defensive snaps. He didn’t record any sacks but he intercepted a pass and made two tackles.
“I’m not surprised at anything I get from T.J.,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told reporters. “I know the way the guy is always in shape.
“He had a setback, but it wasn’t one of those things where you worry about him getting so far out of shape or so weak that he wouldn’t be able to work. So, it was good to get 43 snaps out of him.”
Watt had 55 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 14 regular-season games while earning his eighth straight Pro Bowl berth. He was the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Pittsburgh is good health-wise entering the contest against the Texans.
Defensive tackle Isaiahh Lowdermilk (ankle) is listed as questionable and could be activated off injured reserve before Monday’s game. Lowdermilk, who was injured in Week 2, is the lone Pittsburgh player with an injury designation.
“It’s what I was shooting for,” said Loudermilk of being injured nearly four months ago. “When it first happened, we weren’t sure if there would be a shot. But they said there was a shot so I knew I had to work as hard as I can to try to make it back for this.”
Houston also is in good shape from a health standpoint. Running back Jawhar Jordan (ankle) didn’t practice all week and was ruled out while safety Jaylen Reed (forearm) and cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring) are both questionable.
