Watt given green light to go in Baltimore

The Steelers linebacker did not appear on Thursday’s injury report.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were bracing for the potential of playing the Baltimore Ravens without All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who has served as the most disruptive force in their AFC North rivalry.

Now they can breathe a sigh of relief and leave the worrying to the Ravens.

The absence of Watt on Thursday’s status report gives the appearance of a green light for the NFL’s premier pass rusher to play when the Steelers (10-4) visit the Ravens (9-5) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium with a chance to clinch the division title.

Watt, who injured his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 27-13 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles, did not practice Tuesday and was a limited participant Wednesday. Watt was optimistic after Thursday’s practice, saying that he “felt good” despite the shortened week and expressed hope that he wouldn’t be on a limited snap count.

“I’m trying to be out there as much as I possibly can,” Watt said. “I wouldn’t want to do that, but if that’s the only thing I can do then I’m going to take what I can get.”

The Steelers gladly will take what they can get from Watt, considering their defense could be without several starters. Cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) were listed as questionable, and strong safety DeShon Elliott as doubtful for the Ravens game on Thursday’s injury report.

“I just know if he is available, we’ll be happy,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Wednesday of Watt. “If he’s not available, we won’t be very happy.”

The Steelers arguably have their most depth at outside linebacker since 2017, when they drafted Watt in the first round. After dealing with early-season injuries, they now have healthy complements in starter Alex Highsmith and backups Nick Herbig, Preston Smith and Jeremiah Moon. The player who stood to benefit most in terms of increased playing time might have been Smith, a 10-year veteran acquired from the Green Bay Packers at the trade deadline who has 69 1/2 career sacks.

But there’s no comparing any Steelers defender’s impact to that of Watt, who has played in all 14 games this season and leads the league in tackles for loss (18) and forced fumbles (six) and is tied for third in sacks with 11 1/2, including two against the Eagles.

“I know those guys aren’t T.J., but we feel they’re good quality players that we can fit in our system and do the things we need to do,” Austin said. “Obviously, if you don’t have an impact player like T.J., it affects your game, but I don’t think it’ll affect our overall schematics.”

Herbig made an impact play in the first meeting against the Ravens, beating a double team to flush quarterback Lamar Jackson out of the pocket and into the grasp of cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on a potential tying 2-point conversion attempt with 1 minute, 6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an 1816 win Nov. 17 at Acrisure Stadium.

But even Herbig was adamant the Steelers would prefer Watt to play.

“Obviously, we want him out there every single game, every single snap,” Herbig said. “But that’s the life we live. If something does happen and we’ve got to step up, I think we’ll be ready.”

Watt has been especially dominant against Baltimore, which features the one-two punch of two-time MVP Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, the league’s second-leading rusher with 1,474 yards.

The Steelers are 11-4 against the Ravens in Watt’s career, and he has played a difference-making role in those victories. Watt has 55 tackles — including 22 for losses — 17 sacks, 33 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 15 career games against Baltimore. That includes three tackles, two QB hits and a sack in the last meeting.

“To have a player the caliber of his, with what he does for our defense and all the plays that he makes, it’s huge, especially all the plays he’s made in this rivalry,” Highsmith said. “It’s definitely super important that we have him out there.”