Take a deep breath, Nation.
Because it sure sounds like the head coach did.
Mike Tomlin offered what likely would've been the Steelers' most optimistic possible outlook regarding T.J. Watt, whose left pectoral muscle was torn Sunday in Cincinnati, and Najee Harris, whose left foot was injured, stating in strong terms Tuesday that Watt isn't expected to miss the season, and that Harris could play as soon as this week.
"We're probably in a lot better place than we were after the game," Tomlin said at his weekly press conference Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
"I can definitively say that T.J. won't play this week," he added, referring to the next game Sunday against the Patriots at Acrisure Stadium, "but I won't make any commitment beyond that. We're encouraged, and we'll just continue to look at the situation and gain opinions and do what's appropriate."
Asked specifically if his words suggested the Steelers don't believe Watt has a season-ending injury, he replied without hesitation: "That does suggest that, yes."
If Watt were to be placed on the NFL's Injured Reserve list, he'd have to miss a minimum four games. A team can designate up to eight players to return from IR through the season, with each player being allowed to return twice.
Might that be in play?
"We've got time to make decisions like that, IR decisions that have to be made by the end of the week relative to this game," Tomlin said to that. "We're not in a hurry to gather information too quickly. We'll see how his body responds. We'll get second and third opinions. And at the end of the week or at some point, we'll do what's appropriate."
Tomlin also noted that Watt, after having had an MRI Monday, will still seek second and third opinions on his injury and wouldn't rule out surgery when asked if that's still an option.
“I can’t definitively say anything when we’re pursuing second and third opinions."
Watt's own assessment?
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) September 13, 2022
Malik Reed, who was acquired in a trade with the Broncos two weeks ago after totaling 13 sacks over the past two seasons in Denver, is Watt's near-certain replacement at left outside linebacker, though Tomlin would mention by name both Reed and Jamir Jones as possibilities. Reed saw most of the snaps Sunday after Watt was hurt in the fourth quarter.
After the press conference, the Steelers signed Ryan Anderson, an outside linebacker formerly with the Commanders, to the practice squad. Tomlin acknowledged that the Steelers had edge rushers working out at the facility in the previous 24 hours but emphasized that they were needed for practice purposes, adding, "Whether or not it leads to participation remains to be seen."
The other situation was much more cemented.
Harris, appearing on SiriusXM Radio Tuesday morning, said, "I'll be back at practice this week, and I will be playing this weekend."
Asked about the status of his foot, he replied, "Just got dinged up. Nothing too crazy."
Tomlin's assessment was much the same. He said Harris' foot injury was not related to the Lisfranc issue that'd slowed him all through training camp and the preseason, adding that the matter seemed more serious in Cincinnati than how it'd unfold.
"Naj is really optimistic. It's good to be young," Tomlin would say with a laugh. "He appears to be in position to play, but he's gonna have to practice and prove his readiness."
If Harris can't go, Jaylen Warren would take his place, as happened Sunday when he ran three times for 7 yards.
Asked how Warren, an undrafted free agent making his NFL debut, had fared, Tomlin laughed and replied, “He didn’t urinate down his leg. That’s a great place to begin.”
Three other players were hurt Sunday -- Mason Cole (ankle), Levi Wallace (ankle), Robert Spillane (eye) -- and Tomlin said that, of those three, only Cole's expected to be limited in practice this week.
