T.J. Watt set to make return from collapsed lung in Steelers boost

The Steelers couldn’t have hoped for better news with their season on the line.

Fiery pass rusher T.J. Watt is expected to return after suffering a partially collapsed lung that nearly ended his season in early December, giving the Steelers a sorely needed boost in their do-or-die match-up with the AFC North rival Ravens in Week 18.

The winner of the “Sunday Night Football” showdown — the last of the regular season — will claim the division crown and No. 4 seed (and a home game) in the AFC playoffs, while the loser will miss the postseason entirely.

The scary incident occurred on Dec. 10 during a dry needling treatment at the team facility.

Watt, 31, experienced immediate pain and was taken to the hospital, where doctors discovered the partial collapse of his lung.

The issue required a medical procedure and sidelined him for the remainder of December.

“Didn’t feel right,” he told reporters Friday of the incident, per ESPN. “Shortly afterwards, was in a significant amount of pain. Ended up going to the hospital and, as you guys saw, ended up needing surgery, and the recovery was just different because it was something I wasn’t used to, but I’m very thankful for everybody here. … It’s been very unique, but I feel really good sitting here today.”

His most recent game action came on Dec. 7, when the Steelers defeated the Ravens, 27–22, in Baltimore.

Watt recorded six tackles in that contest.

After the lung issue, he was ruled out for Weeks 15-17 as Pittsburgh went 1-2 without him, including a Week 17 loss to Cleveland that set up a season-defining finale.

Watt, who returned to practice for the first time on Christmas Eve, was listed as a full participant on the Steelers’ final injury report on Friday.

“You always want a guy that has T.J.’s ability and the ability to impact the game the way he does,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told reporters. “So, it’ll be great to have him back. What capacity we’ll find out really, not till Sunday. But it’ll great to have him back.

“I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group and how we play and all those things.”

Cameron Heyward, a Steeler since 2011, spoke about Watt’s importance heading into Sunday.

“We’re going to need all the tools we can get,” Heyward added. “Baltimore’s coming here and having T.J. back definitely stabilizes our group. But we’re not just looking to throw him out there and everybody be scared. We need T.J. to play T.J. ball.”

This season, Watt has recorded seven sacks, and he was named a Pro Bowler for the eighth straight season.

Watt also recorded his 115th career sack this season, putting him 26th all-time.