Despite still being in a holding pattern when it comes to a long-term contract extension, T.J. Watt was a full participant in practice for the Steelers Wednesday as they continued preparations for their regular season opener Sunday in Buffalo.
Watt has been a regular attendee of practices since the team opened training camp in late July, but had been sitting out the team portion of practices and working on his own on the side while his agent and the Steelers continue negotiations on a deal that would keep him in Pittsburgh beyond 2021.
But Wednesday marked a day of ramping things up.
"I thought he looked good. He looked engaged," said Mike Tomlin. "He's been a full participant in walk-throughs and things of that nature. He's a smart guy. He can learn from watching others and it's evident from watching him work today."
Watt, who led the NFL in sacks in 2020 with 15, did not speak to the media. He's scheduled to talk on Friday, a good sign the team expects him to play against the Bills.
Tomlin reiterated his stance made Tuesday that he expects that to happen.
"We're going to continue to push forward and get ready for this game," Tomlin said. "I don't have anything uniquely scheduled for him."
Teammate Joe Schobert, who played with Watt at Wisconsin and now will again with the Steelers after coming over in a trade last month with the Jaguars, was glad to see his longtime friend back on the field.
"You put him in a parking lot, wherever, he's going to be ready to play football," Schobert said.
"T.J.'s great. You know what kind of football player he is. He's going to make a lot of plays."
Watt is scheduled to earn $10.089 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract after the Steelers picked up his fifth-year option.
But the two-time finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year would like a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
Negotiations remain ongoing, but guaranteed money continues to be a holdup. The Steelers do have a rule that they won't continue to negotiate deals once the regular season begins, so the clock is ticking on getting something done before the team boards a plane to travel to Buffalo Saturday.
Meanwhile, Watt's edge running mate, Alex Highsmith, was a limited participant Wednesday on a rainy practice turf because of a groin injury. Rookie center Kendrick Green (thumb) also was limited, while defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (elbow) did not practice.
If Highsmith cannot play Sunday, veteran Melvin Ingram, signed before training camp, would get the start opposite Watt.
If that were to happen, Tomlin isn't worried about the veteran pairing, even though Wednesday's practice was their first together.
"I’m not concerned about that at all. One guy plays on the left, the other guy plays on the right," Tomlin said. "If they’re both doing a really good job they meet at the quarterback."
