Mike Tomlin gives Steelers fans positive T.J. Watt news ahead of Ravens game

A report from Monday evening suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers were preparing to be without star pass-rusher T.J. Watt for their upcoming "Sunday Night Football" home game versus the Baltimore Ravens that will determine which team enters the playoffs as champions of the AFC North and which club will be eliminated from postseason contention. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave Pittsburgh fans some hope regarding Watt's status for the win-or-go-home matchup against Baltimore. 

Steelers now "optimistic" T.J. Watt will play vs. Ravens?

"Optimistic about his potential inclusion this game," Tomlin said about Watt, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. 

Watt has missed three straight games due to a partially collapsed lung he suffered during a dry needling treatment session at the Steelers' facility earlier in December. ESPN stats show he is second on the team with seven sacks on the season, while Alex Highsmith leads the Steelers with 8.5 sacks. 

According to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive, Tomlin previously told CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson that Watt would need a full week of practice to be cleared to return to the lineup. However, Chris Ward of Steelers Now shared that Tomlin said on Tuesday that full practice participation would simply "be more comforting" as it pertains to Watt playing against the Ravens. 

It's unclear how many snaps Watt could play in his first game back. 

T.J. Watt seems to be closer to making return

"We'll work him up throughout the course of the week and let the amount of participation and quality of participation be our guide," Tomlin added about Watt. "...But certainly, I am more optimistic this week than I had been in previous weeks."

Meanwhile, the Ravens reportedly are optimistic that quarterback Lamar Jackson will start versus the Steelers. Jackson missed Baltimore's Week 17 win over the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 27 because of what's been referred to as a "pretty significant" back bruise.

Shortly after Tomlin spoke with media members, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 9-7 Steelers as 3.5-point home underdogs versus the 8-8 Ravens.