Will Lamar Jackson, T.J. Watt be available for pivotal Week 18 showdown?

A recent report suggested that neither Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson nor Pittsburgh Steelers star pass-rusher T.J. Watt would be available for the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" game between the 8-8 Ravens and 9-7 Steelers that will determine the AFC North winner. 

As Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith noted, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that Jackson's status for the Week 18 clash is "to be determined." During a Monday evening appearance on NFL Network, league insider Ian Rapoport shared that Jackson is dealing with a "pretty significant" back bruise that kept him out of Baltimore's win at the Green Bay Packers this past Saturday night. 

However, Rapoport also indicated that individuals within the Ravens think Jackson could play against the Steelers. 

Lamar Jackson on track to play at Steelers?

"It does seem there is some optimism that Lamar Jackson will be back out there this week," Rapoport added during his update, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "They want to determine it Wednesday."

Jackson previously missed three games this fall due to a right hamstring injury. Backup Tyler Huntley would be on track to start at Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium if Jackson is ruled out for Sunday's pivotal showdown.

Why there's more uncertainty about T.J. Watt

As for Watt, he hasn't played since Week 14 because of the partially collapsed lung he suffered during a dry needling treatment session at the Steelers' facility earlier in December. It sounds like the Steelers aren't so optimistic that he'll play in Sunday's win-or-go-home matchup.

"Up in the air is the status of T.J. Watt...just remains to be seen if he's fully healthy enough to [return]," Rapoport explained. "It's not really about football status. It's just about overall health and getting back into shape. I think there's a thought that he'll be back, but until you know for sure, for sure, it remains to be seen."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Ravens as 3.5-point road favorites over the Steelers. That line may not move much, if at all, until more is known about the statuses of Jackson and Watt later in the week.