Steelers OLB T.J. Watt removed from COVID-19 list after negative test

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have defensive star T.J. Watt in the lineup for a pivotal AFC North game after all. The outside linebacker was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 List on Saturday morning, just five days after he was put on the list Monday.

Watt, 27, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, but faced no mandatory absence because he's a vaccinated player. He just needed two negative tests 24 hours apart and that came to fruition before Watt ever missed time on the field. According to Pro Football Talk, he's the fastest player to come off the COVID-19 list.

It's a huge boost for the Steelers, who face the Baltimore Ravens in a key divisional matchup Sunday. Pittsburgh gave up 41 points in each of the last two weeks to drop to 5-5-1 on the year and the team is now in danger of falling out of reach of the AFC North title. Baltimore currently leads the division at 8-3 after winning three of its last four.

Watt has an argument as the Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 with 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in nine games. He suffered knee and hip injuries during the Steelers' tie with the Detroit Lions in Week 10 and was sidelined for Pittsburgh's 41-37 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.