Playoff dreams can rise or collapse in a single week—and the Steelers’ Week 16 injury situation might be the difference. This matchup with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field is more than just another game; it is a pivotal moment for both teams as the playoff race reaches a boiling point. And this is where things get especially interesting: the way Pittsburgh manages its injuries and depth could spark some serious debate among fans.
The Steelers kicked off their preparations for Sunday’s showdown in an unusual way. Instead of holding a traditional, full-speed practice, Coach Mike Tomlin chose what he called a "high-intensity walk-through" as the team transitions from a Monday night game into a short week.
Tomlin explained that the goal is to work both "hard and smart"—and sometimes that means adjusting the practice format to keep as many players involved as possible. Rather than putting extra miles on already banged-up bodies with a full-speed session, the staff opted for a detailed, fast-tempo walk-through focused on mental reps and situational football. For players trying to bounce back physically while still preparing strategically, this kind of approach can make a huge difference.
He emphasized that this is not a radical departure from the norm at this stage of the season. As Tomlin put it, teams have to do whatever is necessary to get the group ready to perform while also getting them to game day in the best physical condition possible. The hope is that all of the work accumulated throughout the season—the daily meetings, practices, film sessions, and reps—builds a foundation the team can lean on during compressed weeks like this one.
T.J. Watt’s status: Still a mystery
But here is where it gets controversial for some fans: the status of star linebacker T.J. Watt remains unclear. Watt missed Monday night’s game against the Dolphins because of a lung issue, and as of Tomlin’s Tuesday press conference, there was still no meaningful update on his availability. Watt did not practice on Wednesday.
Tomlin was straightforward: there is "no new news" on Watt at this point. He expects to know more later in the week as the medical staff and Watt work through the process of returning, but for now, his status is essentially a wait-and-see situation. For a player of Watt’s caliber, any uncertainty naturally raises anxiety—and plenty of debate—among fans. Should the team risk bringing him back quickly in such a crucial game, or is long-term health still the top priority, even in a playoff push?
Nick Herbig and Isaac Seumalo banged up
The ripple effects of Watt’s absence are already being felt. One of the linebackers who helped fill in for him against Miami, Nick Herbig, is now dealing with a hamstring injury. Herbig did not practice on Wednesday, which is never an encouraging sign this late in the year, especially with hamstring issues that can linger or easily get worse.
Guard Isaac Seumalo is also in the spotlight. He left the Dolphins game with what was announced as a triceps injury and, like Herbig, did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Tomlin acknowledged that Seumalo’s status is still uncertain, but he expects that Seumalo—and Herbig as well—will likely be limited at best early in the week while the staff evaluates how their bodies respond.
This raises a key question: with such a crucial offensive lineman and a key rotational defender both dealing with soft-tissue injuries, how aggressive should the Steelers be in trying to get them on the field? Is it smarter to push them for this critical game, or to avoid risking a setback that could cost them the rest of the season?
Positive momentum for Derrick Harmon
On the brighter side, the arrow appears to be pointing up for rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. After missing the last three games with a knee injury, Harmon returned as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
Tomlin noted that Harmon was probably healthy enough to suit up at the end of last week, but as a young player with limited game reps, the staff elected not to rush him into uniform. Instead, they wanted him to benefit from a full, structured week of practice before throwing him back into live action.
Now, Harmon is set for exactly that—a full week of preparation before potentially returning to play in his hometown. Tomlin expressed genuine excitement about getting him back, pointing out how valuable Harmon has been in stopping the run. Given what the Steelers expect to see from Detroit’s offense, having a strong run defender back in the lineup could be a major advantage.
Other players working their way back
Several other members of the roster are still in various stages of recovery. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat remains in the concussion protocol. As Tomlin made clear, the team will let the league’s concussion protocol dictate Peat’s availability, meaning there is no cutting corners or guessing—he plays only if he clears all required steps.
Cornerback James Pierre, who was limited by a calf injury last week, remains another player to monitor. Tomlin’s stance is simple with these types of cases: see where the week leads. That may sound vague, but it reflects the day-to-day reality of the NFL, where even modest injuries can swing quickly based on how a player responds to treatment and practice workloads.
Depth, “castoffs,” and the Steelers’ identity
One of the most intriguing and potentially polarizing storylines this season has been how much the Steelers have leaned on their depth. As injuries have stacked up, contributions from players who were once overlooked—or even labeled "castoffs" by quarterback Aaron Rodgers—have been crucial.
Tomlin, however, is not surprised by those performances. He referenced organizational mantras like "the standard is the standard" and "one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity" to explain the philosophy. In his view, it is not a matter of if injuries will happen in the NFL, but when. Because of that, he believes it is his responsibility—and the coaching staff’s responsibility—to prepare every single player on the roster as if they will be needed.
He made it clear that he never asks players to be merely patient and wait their turn; instead, he tells them to "work while they wait." Many of them have done exactly that, and their performances when called upon are, to Tomlin, proof of their preparation and professionalism.
This is where opinions can differ sharply: Are the Steelers thriving because of a strong developmental culture that maximizes overlooked talent, or are they forced into this position because of roster construction issues and recurring injuries to core players? Some fans love the "next man up" mentality; others worry it is covering deeper problems.
Tomlin also talked about adaptability—another core trait he believes defines a team. The ability to adjust, pivot, and respond to adversity, especially amid injuries, often separates contenders from pretenders. He acknowledged that the Steelers have had multiple chances this season to show that flexibility, and while they have succeeded at times, he stressed that they must keep grinding. Based on his experience on many NFL journeys, Tomlin is convinced that constant adaptation is not optional; it is a built-in component of any season that hopes to end in the postseason.
Full Week 16 participation and injury report
Here is a breakdown of Wednesday’s official participation and injury designations for both teams as they gear up for this crucial Week 16 clash.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Week 16 Injury/Participation Report
Wednesday, December 17
- No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left wrist) – Full participant
- No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Illness/Hand) – Limited participant
- No. 42 CB James Pierre (Calf) – Did not participate (DNP)
- No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) – DNP
- No. 71 OL Andrus Peat (Concussion) – Limited participant
- No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Triceps) – DNP
- No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Lung) – DNP
- No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon (Knee) – Full participant
Detroit Lions – Week 16 Injury/Participation Report
Wednesday, December 17
- No. 68 T Taylor Decker (Shoulder) – DNP
- No. 31 S Kerby Joseph (Knee) – DNP
- No. 57 OL Trystan Colon (Wrist) – Limited participant
- No. 59 T Giovanni Manu (Knee) – Limited participant
- No. 21 DB Amik Robertson (Hand) – Limited participant
- No. 33 RB Sione Vaki (Thumb) – Limited participant
- No. 74 G Kayode Awosika (Foot) – Full participant
- No. 12 S Thomas Harper (Concussion) – Full participant
- No. 73 G Christian Mahogany (Fibula) – Full participant
It is important to note that the Lions held only a walk-through on Wednesday. That means their participation designations are based on estimates of how much each player would have practiced in a normal, full session rather than actual on-field reps.
How to watch: Don’t miss a snap
For fans who want to follow every twist and turn of this high-stakes matchup, NFL+ offers a way to catch the Steelers live and on the go. With NFL+, you can watch live local and primetime regular season games on your mobile device, access NFL RedZone and NFL Network, listen to live audio, and more—all in a single platform.
Now the big question for you: Do you think the Steelers’ "adapt and adjust" philosophy and reliance on depth are a genuine strength that sets them apart, or a risky necessity caused by too many injuries to star players? Should they push someone like T.J. Watt to return as soon as possible given the playoff stakes, or play it safe even if it hurts their chances this week? Share whether you agree or disagree—and why—in the comments. This is exactly the kind of situation where fans’ perspectives can be wildly different.
