T.J. Watt injury status: Steelers star returns two weeks after punctured lung

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now in pole position to take top spot in the AFC North and can look forward to the return of a key defensive piece as the playoffs approach.

Steelers star T.J. Watt missed the past two games after suffering a partially punctured lung during a dry needling treatment. The 31-year-old required reparative surgery and spent two weeks on the injured list.

After a spell on the sidelines Watt returned to team practice as a limited participant on Wednesday. He went through individual drills and looks to be nearing a return.

“It’s awesome to have him out there,” Watt’s Pittsburgh teammate Alex Highsmith said. “Just seeing him back out in the field with us, he’s getting better every single day, so I think just to have him back out there, just as a leader for our group, it’s just awesome to see. Excited to see how he continues to work his way back.”

Watt still faces a tough test to be fit in time for the Steelers’ trip to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, December 28. However he will almost certainly be back in contention for the start of the postseason in January, assuming that Pittsburgh make it through the final two regular season games without catastrophe. If so, the Steelers look well-placed to make a real run in the postseason.

“T.J.’s one of our leaders, so I love having him around,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on Wednesday. “Not sure what his status is going to be, but just his presence is good for our team.”

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