There's good news and bad news on the Steelers injured reserve front, as T.J. Watt returned to practice while the 21-day window has passed for rookie Calvin Austin III to be activated, meaning the latter is out for the season.
Watt was seen wearing a helmet during one-on-one drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Wednesday afternoon, while the club announced his return after practice.
T.J. Watt wearing a helmet during #Steelers practice. pic.twitter.com/vJK3jGjDAp
— Chris Halicke (@ChrisHalicke) October 26, 2022
Watt was placed on IR with a pec injury on Sept. 15, four days after their week one win over the Bengals. He had knee surgery in early October, pushing a potential return back further.
Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that it was "highly unlikely" Watt will be available for this Sunday's game against the Eagles. The Steelers have their bye week the following Sunday, meaning Week 10's home game against the Saints could be a potential return.
"He's a tremendous player. No doubt about it," Malik Reed said. "To have a player like that on your defense, it does wonders for you. He's getting healthy and we can't wait to have him back."
Watt's absence has certainly been felt on the pass rush. After leading the league in sacks each of the last five seasons, the Steelers have recorded just five sacks in the five games in his absence, the fewest in the league since Week 2.
"It's great to have him as a teammate, as a brother, coming back," Reed said. "We have to be ready to go. We're welcoming him back and are excited for him."
Watt will have 21 days to be activated off of IR or he will be out the remainder of the season.
For Austin, this means the fourth-round draft pick will not see game action in his rookie season. The 23-year-old wide receiver injured his left foot in the team's final walkthrough before their first preseason game against the Seahawks in August, and while he returned to practice on Oct. 5, he did not get back onto the field.
Austin turned heads at the combine after running a 4.32 40-yard dash and was also seen as a potential factor in the Steelers' return game. Steven Sims and Gunner Olszewski have been manning return duties this season.
