Steelers' Watt 'glad to be back' after 7-game absence
Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt announced Friday that he'll play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
"It's been a long time coming," Watt said, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I feel very very good about the week that I've had."
"I'm glad to be back," the reigning Defensive Player of the Year added, per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.
Watt hasn't played since suffering a pectoral injury in Week 1. The 28-year-old's return was then delayed by arthroscopic knee surgery in October.
His return is a major boost to the Steelers, who are coming off a bye after dropping to 2-6 with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Pittsburgh's defense ranks 24th in points allowed.
Watt led the NFL in sacks in each of the last two years. He tied the single-season record with 22.5 sacks in 2021 despite playing only 15 games.