The Pittsburgh Steelers had five players return from injury for their winner-take-all Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Two days later, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin delivered positive updates on all five of those players.
Tomlin told reporters Tuesday none of those players suffered setbacks in the Ravens showdown.
“Everyone that returned to action last week, from T.J. to Isaac Seumalo to Calvin Austin, James Pierre, Brandin Echols, all were able to participate without any steps backwards. Thankful for that,” Tomlin said. “We’re a relatively healthy group as we lean in on the single elimination tournament.
“So, excited about that.”
Multiple position groups received a boost with the return of those five players. Edge rusher T.J. Watt and wide receiver Calvin Austin III had the biggest impacts in the Ravens win.
Watt intercepted a deflected pass, which led to a field goal that gave the Steelers their first lead in the third quarter.
Austin caught the eventual game-winning touchdown with 55 seconds left in regulation.
T.J. Watt, 2 CBs Return for Mike Tomlin’s Defense
The edge rushing depth the Steelers possess helped minimize the loss of Watt for three games in December. Furthermore, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig each had sacks in the Ravens victory.
But it’s always a great thing to get back a four-time first-team All-Pro like Watt.
Watt played a season-low 43 defensive snaps in Week 18. However, he didn’t appear to be limited in anyway. Watt’s low snap count was the result of the Ravens not running a lot of offensive plays.
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year lined up for 84.3% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps. That was a higher percentage of defensive plays for Watt than in Week 12 or 13 before his injury.
Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung about four weeks ago and underwent surgery to repair the injury on December 11. The Steelers went 2-1 without Watt in the lineup.
Also on defense, cornerbacks James Pierre and Brandin Echols returned during Week 18. Pierre entered the starting lineup for the Steelers on November 16 and started his last five games of the regular season.
Echols became a key role player in the Steelers secondary during 2025.
Calvin Austin III Catches TD in Return
Austin coming back in Week 18 was well timed. The Steelers didn’t score a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on December 28 without Austin or suspended D.K. Metcalf.
With Metcalf still out in Week 18, Austin led Steelers receivers with 55 receiving yards. He only caught three of seven targets, but Austin’s final catch gave the Steelers a two-point lead in the final minute of regulation.
Of his 55 receiving yards, 26 came on the touchdown reception.
According to the Pro Football Focus player grades, Isaac Seumalo wasn’t quite as dominant versus the Ravens as he often is. But Seumalo scored a good grade in pass protection against Baltimore.
The Steelers offensive line will face a difficult Texans pass rush in the first round of the playoffs. Houston finished the regular season tied for seventh in sacks with 47.
Veteran Danielle Hunter and budding superstar Will Anderson combined for 27 of those 47 sacks.
Seumalo’s return gives the Steelers an experienced offensive lineman next to new left tackle Dylan Cook. A former undrafted free agent, Cook has been a tremendous surprise for the Steelers, but he’s still only played in five NFL games.
Mike Tomlin Delivers Great Injury Update Ahead of Steelers-Texans Playoff Game