The Steelers began their preparation for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, practicing at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
It's a game with everything on the line, as the winner takes it all in the AFC North.
And Coach Mike Tomlin is ready for it.
"Welcome to AFC North Championship Week," said Tomlin opening his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
In a week with everything on the line, you want every healthy body available to you.
One player who could be available is linebacker T.J. Watt. Watt was limited in practice on Wednesday.
Watt has slowly been working his way back from his health issue with his lung, and Tomlin said he is 'more optimistic' than he has been about Watt's availability.
"Optimistic about his potential inclusion in this game," said Tomlin. "We'll work him up throughout the course of the week and let the amount of participation, the quality of participation, be our guide in terms of whether or not he's a participant.
"But certainly, I am more optimistic this week than I have been in previous weeks."
Tomlin said they have proceeded with caution regarding Watt's return as he is coming off a medical issue.
"He's coming off of a medical circumstance, different than the injury circumstance," said Tomlin. "And so, certainly he has a certain level of health.
"But we want to be cautious about how we work him back into the fold. And certainly, he's done the appropriate things in that area as well."
Watt was limited in practice last week and Tomlin said his participation this week will have an impact on his availability, and he will utilize him however possible.
"Practice participation certainly would be more comforting in terms of making a decision given he's coming back from a medical circumstance," said Tomlin. "I'm open to utilizing him in any way that's appropriate relative to his availability."
Tomlin said he liked what he saw from Watt last week in practice.
"I thought he looked great," said Tomlin. "I know he was glad to be out there with his teammates. I think that's a component of it that we don't talk often enough about when someone is injured or out. The isolation component of it.
"We're a communal group. This is a team sport definitively, and so more than anything, I thought he displayed an excitement that comes with being back out there with his teammates."
While Watt has missed the last three games, Tomlin isn't concerned about him being in football shape when he does put the uniform back on.
"I doubt that T.J. is ever out of football shape or conditioning over the course of a 12 month calendar," said Tomlin. "I know how he lives his life and how he prepares. How thoughtful he is in terms of what he puts in his body and how he trains.
"And so, I don't imagine that component being a major concern."
While they could get Watt back, the team will be missing a key component on offense.
Tight end Darnell Washington, a weapon in the passing and running game as a blocker, and a key part of the Steelers version of the 'tush push,' was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Wednesday after having surgery on his arm.
Washington brings a unique skillset, and size, to the offense, but Tomlin is comfortable with who they have to step in.
"We use a lot of tight ends," said Tomlin. "We also use guys at the tight end position that don't play tight end, Spencer Anderson.
"So, we have a lot of options at our disposal relative to that from a strategy perspective. Certainly, given six or seven days to prepare, I don't think it would be a strategic issue in terms of replacing his efforts."
As part of the move with placing Washington on IR, the team signed Jack Driscoll to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Driscoll, who was signed to the Steelers practice squad on Oct. 29, was elevated from the practice squad for the Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins, Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions and Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Driscoll was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He spent five seasons with the Eagles, appearing in 67 games, starting 18.
The team also signed tight end Jaheim Bell to the practice squad.
Bell was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida. He appeared in 15 games for the Patriots, with two receptions for 20 yards.
Bell also spent time on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad this year.
Also on the injury front, the Steelers could be getting several players back this week.
"Thankfully, all other guys I'm about to mention have some level of optimism in terms of their availability," said Tomlin. "Calvin Austin missed the last game with a hamstring, definitively has a chance. Brandin Echols, same thing with his groin. James Pierre, same thing with his calf. Isaac Seumalo, same thing with his triceps injury.
"Malik Harrison's got a bone bruise that was sustained in game. It may limit him at the early portion of the week, but optimistic certainly about his inclusion."
The full injury and practice report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 18
Wednesday, December 31
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hand) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Groin) - Limited
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Calf) - Limited
No. 46 LS Christian Kuntz (Knee) - Full
No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Triceps) - Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Lung) - Limited
Baltimore Ravens Participation/Injury Report, Week 18
Wednesday, December 31
No. 7 WR Rashad Bateman (Illness) - DNP
No. 58 DT Taven Brayn* (Knee) - Limited
No. 10 WR DeAndre Hopkins (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 8 QB Lamar Jackson (Back) - Full
No. 88 TE Charlie Kolar (Nose) - Limited
No. 42 FB Patrick Ricard (Ankle) - Limited
No. 0 LB Roquan Smith (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 79 T Ronnie Stanley (Knee) - Limited
No. 53 OLB Kyle Van Noy (Quad) - DNP
No. 72 G Andrew Vorhees (Foot) - Limited
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
