It appears the Bills will be facing TJ Watt.
Throughout the offseason, the Steelers have been without the pass rusher due to a holdout… kind of.
Since training camp, Watt, hoping to get a new contract signed, decided to holdout but not fully. The edge defender showed up to all of Pittsburgh’s practices but sat out team drills to send a statement.
Considering it wasn’t a traditional full holdout that the NFL has seen with players in the past, it was a bit overlooked. But the situation came to center stage this week since the Steelers’ season-opening trip to Buffalo is only a few days away.
As recently as Tuesday, Watt still wasn’t fully participating. Then Wednesday changed that all.
According to reports from Pittsburgh including ESPN, the Steelers had Watt fully participating in team practices… finally.
Watt still doesn’t have a new deal, or at least it hasn’t been announced by the team just yet. Perhaps enough ground was gained toward one that made Watt feel comfortable with taking part in team drills.
Whatever got Watt out there doesn’t really matter to Buffalo. The Bills will now be prepping to face the NFL’s leading sack artist from last season on Sunday.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin later added via video conference that his “assumption” is that Watt is playing vs. the Bills.