Monday's practice provided a sense of optimism that the Steelers could be getting back two impact players on their defense.
During his regularly scheduled Tuesday press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Mike Tomlin confirmed that optimism regarding the potential return of T.J. Watt and Damontae Kazee from injured reserve.
"Both guys have been participants, and like the others who are managing some injury circumstances, we'll continue to monitor those guys," Tomlin said of Watt and Kazee. "We've been optimistic about their inclusion this week. But again, we got some work ahead of us. We got some reaction to that work; how they feel coming off of the work, etc. So we'll continue to monitor those guys and make appropriate decisions regarding them as we get closer to the game time."
Watt's return speaks for itself. He's the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He's coming off a season where he tied the NFL single-season record for sacks. And, without Watt, the Steelers' defense has registered only five takeaways and eight sacks in the seven games without him.
Watt went down with a torn pectoral muscle in Week 1's upset win over the Bengals -- a victory in which the defense racked up seven sacks and registered five takeaways. During his time on IR, Watt underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up an injury sustained in the preseason.
The fact that he's coming back at all this season just speaks to how special of a player he is.
"T.J. is who he is," Tomlin said. "It's not mystical, the things that he's able to do. I don't know that any of us are surprised with what he's capable of getting done. We eagerly await his return."
While not as impactful, Kazee's return would provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the secondary. For the most of the season, the Steelers have dealt with a lot of injuries to their defensive back. Currently, Levi Wallace is working his way back from a shoulder injury sustained at Miami, and Ahkello Witherspoon is still dealing with a hamstring injury.
In addition, Kazee's potential return gives Tomlin the ability to utilize the three-safety look the Steelers wanted to deploy from the start of the season.
"In this era of specialization, particularly defensive specialization, to match offensive personnel groupings is a big component," Tomlin said. "Three-safety defense -- or big nickel, as a lot of people refer to it -- is one of the things that's in vogue to combat two tight end personnel groups, particularly when one of those tight ends is a vertical, up-field type. The guy that's wide receiver-like. So, we explored that some. It was an asset to us and it's reasonable to expect us to continue in that vein."
There can be multiple ripple effects with the return of both Watt and Kazee. With Watt, the Steelers won't feel the need to blitz as often to apply pressure on the quarterback. And when they do want to blitz, having Kazee in there with Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick will allow the defense to be much more versatile in how they deploy different types of coverage.
While the return of both Watt and Kazee has yet to be official, any optimism from Tomlin in a formal setting is always a good sign.
"That remains to be seen," Tomlin said. "I think I'll let their contribution speak for themselves. But obviously, those are two veteran players that that are NFL capable, and obviously are going to be positive contributors to our efforts if available."
MORE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE
• While the defense would get a huge boost from from the return of Watt and Kazee, the offense is now without Chase Claypool. In terms of any new changes, Tomlin's revelation about the bye week could mean some changes are on the way.
"We spent a lot of time talking about how we’re dividing the labor up and who we’re choosing to feature and what components to play and how much we’re choosing to feature people," Tomlin said. "Obviously, when you go to a trade circumstance, like we did with Chase, that creates a real avenue to have some of those discussions in terms of the distribution of playmaking and who works what areas of the field, etcetera. So, I feel really good about the work that we were able to get done in that component, or at least in those discussions."
• No those changes won't be involving Matt Canada. Again, believe it when you see it. But, it could mean a change at running back.
Tomlin was asked a couple of times about an elevated role for Jaylen Warren, and he said specifically that Warren was part of what he talking about when he mentioned the "division of labor." Tomlin was later asked directly if Warren could be used as a feature back, and the answer wasn't, "no."
"He’s a quality back that’s made some plays," Tomlin said. "We’ll keep giving him an opportunity to do so, and maybe he’ll write that script."
• Another player who stands to have an opportunity on offense is Steven Sims. He figures to be the third receiver now, and already received an elevated role in the offense at Philadelphia.
Sims went from making the team out of training camp to supplanting Gunner Olszewski in the return game. Now, Sims has piqued Tomlin's interest enough to trade Claypool and see how he fares in the offense.
"He’s been a guy that’s made some plays when given an opportunity and when available," Tomlin said. "He’s electric with the ball in his hands. He flipped the field on us a few weeks ago in the kick game. So, we’re excited about giving him a continued exposure to see if that continues."
• On the injury front, Myles Jack is dealing with a knee issue from last week. He did not practice Monday. In the secondary, Witherspoon (hamstring), Wallace (shoulder), and William Jackson III (back) are working their way through various injuries. Wallace and Witherspoon were limited participants in practice Monday. Chris Boswell (groin) and Larry Ogunjobi (knee) are also working their way back from injuries.
• On Monday afternoon, the Steelers waived LB Ryan Anderson, released K Nick Sciba from the practice squad and signed WR Josh Malone to the practice squad. The release of Sciba is a good indicator that Boswell could be much closer to returning, maybe even as early as Sunday.
