Mike Tomlin has preached relentlessly about the importance of December football this week, and with that comes different sets of challenges, including player health.
The Steelers announced Friday that T.J. Watt (ribs), Diontae Johnson (hip) and Malik Reed (back) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens. Fortunately, all three were cleared to play Saturday afternoon and upgraded to having no injury designation.
In addition to those three being available to play, the Steelers activated Chris Boswell from injured reserve Saturday afternoon, and he is expected to handle the kicking duties against Baltimore. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Steelers released Matthew Wright, who made 12 of his 24 field goal attempts in Boswell's absence.
Watt and Johnson were both limited in Friday's practice after both players were limited Wednesday and missed Thursday's session. Reed missed Wednesday, but was a full participant both Thursday and Friday. Boswell officially returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since he was placed on IR on Nov. 10.
While Boswell's return to practice all but gave away his return as the team's placekicker, Watt and Johnson were not sure cases when the team wrapped up practice Friday afternoon at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Watt said his rib injury happened near the end of the Colts game, and that it's something he's having to manage week to week. However, he said he felt decent after Friday's practice, but wouldn't fully commit to being available Sunday.
"We'll have to see how I feel on Sunday," Watt said.
On the other hand, Johnson sounded much more optimistic about the possibility of him getting a helmet.
"I'm feeling good. I'll see how I'm feeling when I'm out there warming up," Johnson said. "But, I've for sure got it in my mind that I'm going to play. I'm not really too worried about it."
Najee Harris (oblique), Chukwuma Okorafor (shoulder), Larry Ogunjobi (toe) and Cam Heyward (vet rest) all missed practice in some form this week, but do not have any injury designation heading into Sunday's action.
Watt's absence would have obviously been the biggest concern for the Steelers. Even though Watt has been playing at less than 100 percent, his presence on the field forces offenses to respect how he can disrupt a game at a moment's notice.
And, even though Watt wouldn't give the media the all clear regarding his availability on Friday afternoon, he made it clear he wants to be out there -- badly. Missing seven games this year due to a pectoral injury and minor knee surgery isn't what he pictured for following up a season where he was named Defensive Player of the Year.
"It's tough. It's stuff that's out of my control. It's been one thing after another this year," Watt said. "But, I don't want to miss any more games. I try my best to make it happen each and every week."
Boswell's return couldn't have come at a better time. Field position always plays a key role in Steelers vs. Ravens, and Baltimore has the best kicker in the business, Justin Tucker, on their side. Boswell is one of the few kickers in the NFL that can match him virtually blow for blow.
On the Ravens' side, Lamar Jackson (knee) has not practiced all week. While he was already expected to miss Sunday's game, John Harbaugh made that all but official Friday afternoon before the Ravens released their injury report.
"It looks like it's going to be Tyler Huntley on Sunday," Harbaugh told reporters in Baltimore.
The Ravens officially listed Jackson as doubtful for Sunday. Baltimore also has quite a few players on their injury report. OL Patrick Mekari (toe), OLB Del'Shawn Phillips (quad), LB Patrick Queen (thigh), G Kevin Zeitler (knee) and LB Kristian Welch (concussion) are all questionable, and CB Daryl Worley (hamstring) is ruled out.
