The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their season finale at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be part of a pivotal AFC North doubleheader on Saturday, as the Ravens look to secure the divisional crown against the Browns before the Bengals try to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are playing for seeding in the postseason. A Ravens loss would open the door to claim the AFC North title and home-field advantage in the Wild Card round with a win over Cincinnati in Week 18.
Before this highly-anticipated season-finale, Steelers players are making headlines, and a few unexpected returns could be possible by the playoffs. Here's the latest Steelers news.
T.J. Watt named Steelers MVP for 2024 season
On New Year's Day, the Pittsburgh Steelers voted T.J. Watt as the Team MVP. Watt becomes the first player in franchise history to win the award five times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024).
If not for landing on IR with a pectoral injury early in the 2022 season, this may have been Watt's sixth Steelers MVP award. With 11.5 sacks, Watt is having a down year statistically, but the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year still leads the NFL with six forced fumbles while chipping in 19 tackles for a loss heading into the Week 18 season finale.
The team has been issuing the Steelers MVP since 1969 when wide receiver Roy Jefferson first earned the honor. No other player has received the Team MVP award more than three times.
Roman Wilson, Cole Holcomb, & Logan Lee return to practice
Entering Week 18, three Steelers returned to practice: wide receiver Roman Wilson, linebacker Cole Holcomb, and defensive lineman Logan Lee. Wilson, Pittsburgh's 84th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, played just five snaps during this rookie season after dealing with injuries, while Holcomb finally returned to practice after suffering a gruesome knee injury in the middle of the 2023 season.
None of the three players have yet been elevated from their IR status, but their participation at practice is an encouraging sign. The Steelers have been desperate for wide receiver help all season, but the return of Wilson may come a bit too late.
The Steelers will be playing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs next week, and it's possible that Wilson could make his return to the field. However, if the Steelers have an early exit from the postseason, we may not see these three players in action until the 2025 season.
Steelers updated injury report
After dealing with the absences of important starters in recent weeks, the Steelers are finally looking healthy heading into the season finale. Though ten players were listed on the Week 18 injury report, seven of them practiced fully on New Year's Day—including Roman Wilson, who had been dealing with a hamstring injury.
The only limited participants in practice on Wednesday were cornerback Donte Jackson, linebacker Cole Holcomb, and defensive lineman Logan Lee. Offensive guard Isaac Seumalo was given a rest day on Tuesday, but no other players missed practice this week.
All signs point to the Steelers being nearly at full strength for their final game of the season against the Bengals on Saturday.