The Pittsburgh Steelers and visiting Miami Dolphins each are working to improve their chances of making the playoffs as they prepare to clash on Monday night.
The Dolphins (6-7) are riding a four-game winning streak and need to extend that run to keep their slim playoff hopes intact.
The Steelers (7-6) hold first place in the AFC North and are ahead of the Ravens by one game after ending a two-game losing skid with a 27-22 win at Baltimore last week. Pittsburgh also faces pressure to keep winning since its best route to the postseason is to win the division.
But if the Steelers are to string together consecutive wins, they might have to do it without star linebacker T.J. Watt.
According to a Pittsburgh team spokesman, Watt was hospitalized for “medical evaluation of his lung.” The spokesman said Watt experienced discomfort during Wednesday’s practice.
“He has a lung situation that’s being addressed,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think he has some testing and so forth ahead of him this afternoon, and that’s all I know at this juncture.”
Watt, who played 70 snaps in last week’s win over the Ravens, leads Steelers defenders with seven sacks and 18 quarterback hits, while also adding two fumble recoveries and an interception this season.
Besides Watt, Pittsburgh also has multiple players either dealing with injuries or in concussion protocol, including offensive lineman Andrus Peat (concussion) and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), who did not practice on Thursday.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (broken left wrist) did practice a week after throwing for a season-high 284 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore. The Steelers’ pass protection has improved in recent weeks as Rodgers has been sacked only twice over his past three starts.
For the Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to face a situation that’s been unfavorable to him during his career. Tagovailoa is 0-5 all-time in games where the temperature is below 40 degrees at kickoff. The temps Monday night in Pittsburgh are expected to be in the low 20s.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, their running game has been the driving force behind their winning streak, and De’Von Achane appears to be good to go.
Achane, who suffered a rib injury in the first half of last week’s 34-10 win over the New York Jets and did not return, practiced in limited fashion on Thursday. An MRI revealed Achane did not suffer any fractures.
Achane is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has rushed for 1,126 yards this season, trailing only Jonathan Taylor and James Cook III entering this week. Achane still ran for 92 yards on just seven carries before his injury last week, and he had more than 100 rushing yards in each of his previous three games.
“The good news is that how he makes a living is avoiding tacklers,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “And that’s what he’ll have to do. The bumps and bruises in the National Football League — If you don’t have something in December, you’re probably playing football wrong.”
For Miami, cornerback Elijah Campbell (ankle/knee) and linebacker Caleb Johnson (shoulder) were the only players who did not practice Thursday. Besides Achane, long snapper Joe Cardona (hamstring), cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb/groin), offensive lineman Andrew Meyer (tricep), linebacker Chop Robinson (oblique) and tight end Darren Waller (rest) were limited.
For Pittsburgh, receiver Ben Skowronek (hand) and cornerback James Pierre (calf) also did not practice. Linebacker Malik Harrison and tight end Darnell Washington were limited with concussions.
