PITTSBURGH — T.J. Watt stated he’s “excited to play” Sunday towards the Baltimore Ravens after lacking the previous three video games recovering from {a partially} punctured lung.
“I really feel fairly good,” the Pittsburgh Steelers star stated Friday, talking for the primary time for the reason that Dec. 10 incident and subsequent surgical procedure. “Actually, do not know if I might have stated {that a} week in the past, however I really feel actually good. Really feel actually assured concerning the week of follow and excited to play.”
Watt was a full participant in follow Friday for the primary time for the reason that harm and would not have an harm designation for Sunday’s sport. He stated he hasn’t mentioned enjoying on a snap rely for the winner-take-all AFC North showdown.
“It is nonetheless so early,” stated Watt, who has seven sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and 10 tackles for loss this season. “Like I stated, I had an excellent week of follow. I had no limitations. Tried to simulate as a lot as I might with shoulder pads and stuff like that, however you possibly can solely simulate a lot. So I really feel actually good proper now. Hoping that is the case on Sunday as nicely.”
Detailing the state of affairs that resulted in his hospitalization and surgical procedure, Watt stated he was in “vital” ache after the dry needling remedy on the group facility.
“Did not really feel proper,” he stated. “Shortly afterwards was in a big quantity of ache. Ended up going to the hospital and, as you guys noticed, ended up needing surgical procedure, and the restoration was simply completely different as a result of it was one thing I wasn’t used to, however I am very grateful for everyone right here. … It has been very distinctive, however I really feel actually good sitting right here immediately.”
Watt stated he has used dry needling prior to now and at all times on the group facility, calling what occurred “a fluke factor, apparently.” Watt, although, added that he will not be doing any dry needling remedies anytime quickly.
He stated the restoration was tough to navigate as a result of it is in contrast to the rest he has skilled.
“Anytime you spend two or three nights within the hospital, it sucks,” he stated. “However fortunately I’ve an excellent help system right here, with my spouse, clearly, my household. Everyone on the group was actually supportive, and I feel, greater than something, it was simply making an attempt to determine methods to assault coming again.
“It isn’t like a knee, so it was all new emotions. It was a surgical procedure I wasn’t very conversant in, however I am very completely happy to really feel nearly as good as I do proper now.”
He added that he would not have any laborious emotions towards the group after the remedy occurred at its facility.
Together with his group competing for a playoff berth within the regular-season finale, Watt stated returning for this sport was a precedence.
“Oh large,” Watt stated of his motivation. “I imply, this can be a large sport. Clearly, we simply began the playoffs every week early, and we get to have a house sport. Actually excited to get again out right here in entrance of Steeler Nation and go away all of it on the sector.”
