NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers decided not to activate TJ Watt before Eagles game

The Pittsburgh Steelers have elected not to activate reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt from injured reserve before Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Watt returned to practice for the first time this week after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Week 1.

Watt also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to deal with an issue that had been bothering him since preseason. The Steelers 21-day window to return Watt to the active roster began after his first practice.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have elected not to activate TJ Watt from injured reserve this week

Watt (90) was blocked by Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (73) in September

‘I was a [practice] participant today, so I mean, just going about my business, doing what I’m asked, seeing how my body responds to the activity,’ Watt said Friday. ‘I feel very encouraged with where I am at right now.

‘I’ve had muscle pulls before, and you feel some sort of pop in a snap and immediately know it’s not good,’ Watt said of the pec injury.

‘It’s just a matter of how bad it was, and it just took us 24 to 48 hours to figure out the severity of it.’

Watt added that his pec is getting closer to 100 percent. Following the knee surgery, he was expected to return after the Steelers’ bye week during Week 9 and is on track to return for the Week 10 game against New Orleans.

‘It doesn’t matter if I’m coming off of whatever injury, I’m always gonna try to find a way to get better and not just be a slouch and sit on the couch and eat potato chips and ice whatever body part I ‘I’m icing,’ Watt said.

I’m always trying to find a way so that when I come back, the acclimation period is as quick as possible, and I feel like I’ve done a good job with that. We won’t know until I actually play.’

Watt returned to practice for the first time this week after suffering a muscle tear and knee issue