Steelers' TJ Watt Has Optimistic Timeline For Return From NFL Doc

The Pittsburgh Steelers were thrilled that they seemed to be handling the Baltimore Ravens just fine during their Week 18 matchup. They needed to win if they wanted any real shot at making the postseason. But then in the blink of an eye, something horrible happened. Edge rushing phenom, TJ Watt suffered a knee injury late in the game. This has left fans and the media speculating about his possible return if the Steelers beat the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card game. Now, an NFL physician has weighed in on what he believes the timeline looks like. 

If you were watching the game, you knew it wasn't good. Watt is absolutely superhuman. He gets banged up all the time and you never see him do anything more than flex. But when he went down in the third quarter in Baltimore, he pounded the turf in frustration, the pain was written all over his face. He left the game and was unable to return. The Steelers managed to win 17-10 and with some help from the Tennessee Titans, they earned their spot in the playoffs. 

Now, David J. Chao, Md. has given fans a realistic timeline for Watt's return. Chao was the NFL head team doctor for more than 17 years. This is vastly different than the average person suffering a sprain. He is in a unique position, being able to understand the medical part, but also the impact of playing in the NFL and at the high level that Watt does.  

When Will Steelers' TJ Watt Be Able To Return To The Field?

Chao recently joined Mark Bergin, who hosts the Bleav In Steelers podcast with former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Ike Taylor. On this episode, Taylor didn't join him, instead, he had Chao on to discuss some of the injuries that have hampered the Steelers. 

Of course, the injury that feels most pressing is Watt's. Everyone wants to know if Pittsburgh beats Buffalo, will he be able to return for the next game which should be against the Ravens. These types of injuries take time and even though Watt might be an alien, he has to take the time needed to recover, or he could make it worse. Chao told Bergin that he examined a lot of players during his career and since he hasn't examined Watt, he is speaking generally from what he knows. He added that he also would watch the film of the injury occurring from as many different angles as he could get to try to watch the mechanism that caused it. 

"It's an MCL sprain and he's an edge rusher. How do you get around the edge? I mean straight line, he's not a straight-line guy. You got to get around the edge and the MCL is pretty important for that. So it's not a surprise that he's ruled out. I think, unfortunately, Steelers fans know if you get ruled out on Monday for the weekend game, that already puts you under the gun for next week and at this point in time, that's kind of where we're at," explained Chao.

The question that remained was, how likely does Chao think it is that Watt will return at all during the playoffs. If he does return, will he be 100%? The Steelers have put together a plan to compensate for Watt being out that includes Watt's "Robin," Alex Highsmith, veteran Markus Golden, and rookie Nick Herbig. 

Highsmith is used to stepping up when Watt is out. He did it last season and he is even better this season. Herbig is young and very hungry. He and Golden were able to step up against the Ravens and make a significant difference.  

"Could TJ Watt do something this playoffs? Yes. When might he be 'TJ Watt' again, I mean it isn't gonna be next week. I mean if he plays, and I think that's a big if, could he do something because he's such a great player for the conference championships? Maybe, but that's still not being 'TJ Watt.' So you know, if you're waiting for your All-Pro guy, I mean you're waiting until Las Vegas. So it's a matter of how long can the Steelers stay alive?"

The injury was caused by "friendly fire" when teammate Montravius Adams accidentally rolled into him. Adams said he simply didn't see Watt, who was behind him. Later, the team announced that Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain. This is actually the best-case scenario as the initial reports were that it was a Grade 3 MCL sprain or even a tear. The Grade 2 MCL sprain will take a few weeks to fully heal. 

As we saw last year with his pectoral injury, Watt is in such superior shape that he can return on the early end of most healing timelines. But even if he is ready to go on the earliest possible date, he won't make it on the field in Buffalo. 

This means that if the Steelers want to utilize Watt's talents in a playoff game, they are going to have to stay alive without him for at least a game or two.  

How long do you think it will take Watt to return? Do you think the Steelers can win in Buffalo without him? Click to comment below. 

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