Steelers Press Conference: Week 1 at Bills; T.J. Watt’s Practice Availability

[Steeler Nation]

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin took to the media today as he begins his weekly 2021-22 press conferences, starting today with his Week 1 assessment of the team and the challenges that are ahead. He addressed the injuries to Stephon Tuitt, Zach Banner, and Anthony McFarland Jr., as well as his thoughts on quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Tomlin started off his presser acknowledging the loss of Tunch Ilkin and his relationship he had with him. RIP.

Tomlin re-addressed the team’s 2021 captains announcement from earlier this week, but most notably, he spoke on T.J. Watt‘s availability at practice this week leading up to Buffalo.

“I remain optimistic that something is going to get done from a deal perspective. That aside, I’m expecting him to work tomorrow. I’m proceeding with the assumption that he’s going to work tomorrow. That’s kind of the approach that I’m taking. He’s missed some time do to obvious reasons, but like I’ve also mentioned, over the course of this team development process, I focus very little on those that aren’t working. I tend to focus my energy on those that are.”

When asked about the conditioning aspect for Watt, and if that would effect Watt’s snap count to begin this season, Tomlin responded.

“You know, we’ll play that by ear. One thing I’m not going to do is assume that he’s regular.”

Watch the full press conference here:

#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media ahead of our Week 1 game against the Bills. https://t.co/sW61MBGLfu

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2021

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[SteelerinMD]

EVERYONE keeps saying a deal is going to get done. Get the ******* thing done already. Watt needs some physical practices prior to Sunday. He was invisible last year (not saying it will be same result) but he only had a few pressures and tackles. So glad at this point Ingram was signed early enough and got a lot of reps. Jones could get some meaningful snaps outside of ST also.


And thought Mike Tomlin had some very nice honest comments about Tunch.