T.J. Watt injury: Latest report paints surprisingly optimistic picture for Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers fans get fantastic news on the T.J. Watt injury front after his pectoral tear.

While T.J. Watt will be out for at least a little while, it is not the end of the world for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their rabid fanbase.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on Monday that “there’s some optimism today in Pittsburgh that OLB and reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt did not experience a full pec tear and will be able to return after sitting for a month or so.”

Watt is the lifeblood of this Steelers’ defense. Although Minkak Fitzpatrick is absolutely electrifying in the back-end of it, Pittsburgh is not a playoff team if the Steelers do not have a healthy Watt playing for them throughout the duration. A full pectoral tear would have meant season over for their best player. The good news is he can rest, recover and return to action soon.

If this is the best-case scenario, Watt may only miss the next three or four games for the Steelers.

T.J. Watt injury: When could Pittsburgh Steelers’ star pass-rusher return?

Looking at the Steelers’ regular-season schedule, it is safe to say Watt will miss the next three games for Pittsburgh. That trio of games would be vs. the New England Patriots (Sept. 18), at the Cleveland Browns (Sept. 22) and vs. the New York Jets (Oct. 2). As far as a return date is concerned, keep an eye on at the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 9 or home vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 16.

The good news for the Steelers is they already beat the best opponent in their first quarter of the season in the division rival Cincinnati Bengals. It may have been an ugly one, but Pittsburgh got the thing done in overtime, 23-20. New England is a massive regression candidate, the Browns will be without their starting quarterback in Deshaun Watson and the Jets are still rebuilding.

What is important though is for Watt to return right around that Bills game. The Steelers’ next four games heading into their bye are much tougher. At Buffalo feels like a loss. Hosting Tampa Bay will not be easy. Back-to-back road dates at the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles are especially brutal. Therefore, it is imperative for the Steelers to win two of their next three games.

While Steelers fans did get good news on Watt’s injury, Pittsburgh is going to need him back ASAP.