T.J. Watt Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Edge T.J. Watt (knee) will miss Sunday's playoff game at Buffalo. That likely leaves rookie Nick Herbig as the playing-time leader in Watt's spot opposite Alex Highsmith.

J.J. Watt reports that the injury to his little brother's knee isn't as bad as originally feared. He says Steelers Edge T.J. Watt sustained a mere Grade 2 sprain to his left MCL. That could still knock the younger Watt out of Pittsburgh's playoff opener. But it gives him a better chance to play than previous reports or a tear or Grade 3 sprain. We'll see about Watt's status heading into Wild Card weekend.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers believe Edge T.J. Watt suffered a Grade 3 sprain to his left MCL in Saturday's win over the Ravens. Watt reportedly wanted to re-enter the game after sustaining the injury, but the team would not let him. He'll have further testing to confirm what is typically a multi-week injury. If the Steelers make the playoffs -- they need some help Sunday -- we'll see whether Watt can return for the opener.

Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's believed to be an MCL tear. That would seem to make Watt unlikely to play in the playoffs, if Pittsburgh qualifies.

The Steelers announced Wednesday that an independent neurologist has cleared Edge T.J. Watt to play this weekend against the Colts. Watt entered the concussion protocol after the loss to the Patriots but should be set for Week 15 IDP lineups. Edge Alex Highsmith remains in the concussion protocol, however

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt has been upgraded for Sunday's game against the Ravens. Originally questionable with a rib issue, he now carries no injury designation. We already expected Watt to play, after he played through a questionable tag for the same injury last week. But this indicates he's healthier. As you set your IDP lineups, though, keep in mind that we haven't gotten the same Watt since he returned from IR. You'll find Watt lower in our Week 14 IDP rankings than he sat the previous few weeks.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (rib) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens. He played through the issue last week, so we'd bet on him doing so again. We'll confirm his status Sunday morning.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (ribs) is active for today's game against the Falcons. Use him as planned in IDP lineups.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons. He did manage limited practices throughout the week and seems likely to play. We'll check Watt's status Sunday morning -- barring some update before then.

Update: Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh of Pittsburgh Sports Now tweeted Friday: "Yeah, I think T.J. Watt will play."

The Steelers on Saturday returned EDGE T.J. Watt to the active roster. He’s officially good to go for Sunday’s game against the Saints. Watt said earlier in the week that he doesn’t expect to be on a snap count

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin and EDGE T.J. Watt expressed optimism Tuesday about Watt returning for this Sunday's game against the Saints. Watt has been out since Week 1 with a pectoral injury, and then had knee surgery during his layoff. He has been targeting a Week 10 return. We'll watch to make sure that comes to fruition this week. Barring any stated limitations on Watt's playing time, we'd get him back into IDP lineups right away.

The Steelers announced that EDGE T.J. Watt returned to practice Wednesday but also said that he remains on IR. That aligns with the previously reported target date of Week 10 -- after the bye -- for Watt's return to game action.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt did "something close to his usual warmup routine" before Sunday night's loss to the Dolphins, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He adds that the Steelers "expect" Watt to return for the Week 10 game against the Saints, which would follow Pittsburgh's bye week. Originally out with a pectoral injury, Watt later had his left knee scoped. We'll keep watch for confirmation on that return date. In the meantime, Watt is worth stashing in any but the shallowest of IDP leagues.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt recently arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to address an issue that has lingered since August. ESPN reports that operation is expected to delay Watt's return another week or 2. He was already on IR for a pectoral injury, with a potential Week 8 return. Pittsburgh has a Week 9 bye, which might have motivated the surgery's timing. Week 10 vs. New Orleans looks like the new target date. We'll see about Watt's status as that draws closer.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt "is still gathering additional opinions" but that his pectoral tear is not currently believed to require surgery. That would mean Watt has a chance to heal up and return before the end of October, according to Pelissero. We'll see about the final word here and then will certainly need to keep an eye on his progress. But this is obviously great news after initial fears that Watt would miss the rest of the year.

The Steelers believe EDGE T.J. Watt tore a pectoral muscle in Sunday's win over the Bengals. Watt will have an MRI Monday to confirm the diagnosis. That injury would almost certainly end Watt's season and dramatically alter the quality of the Pittsburgh defense -- both in real life and fantasy football terms.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt left Sunday's preseason finale with a left knee injury. CBS Sports' Evan Washburn reported in the 2nd half that HC Mike Tomlin called the injury minor and said Watt could have returned if it was a regular-season game. We won't worry about this issue unless a further update turns more negative.

The Steelers believe EDGE T.J. Watt suffered only a minor groin injury in Thursday night's loss to the Vikings. We'll see how he looks leading up to Week 15, but we'd bet on him being ready to play.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt left in the 2nd quarter of Thursday night's game against the Vikings with a groin injury. He's questionable to return.

Update: Pittsburgh has ruled him out for the game.

The Steelers on Saturday activated EDGE T.J. Watt from the COVID list. That gets him back into the lineup for Sunday's game against the Ravens and significantly improves the Pittsburgh defense. It's still a fine matchup for Lamar Jackson, but the Steelers looked like a potential pushover on that side of the ball without their best defensive player.