The Pittsburgh Steelers got some good news on Wednesday night ahead of their Week 15 matchup with the Colts in Indianapolis. With both starting outside linebackers in the NFL’s concussion protocol following Week 14, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith each were limited in Tuesday’s practice. With Watt progressing to a full participant on Wednesday, it was announced by Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten that Watt was cleared by the independent neurologist and is out of the protocol.

#Steelers LB T.J. Watt has been cleared by an independent neurological consultant and is no longer in the concussion protocol.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 14, 2023

Reporting symptoms on Friday following the Steelers Week 14 matchup with the New England Patriots on Thursday night, there has been some question as to Watt being cleared during the game to re-enter. Taking a knee to the facemask on the first play from scrimmage, Watt returned to the game with a tinted visor.

Once he self-reported symptoms on Friday, T.J. Watt was entered into the NFL concussion protocol. In order to be clear, Watt had to go through all five phases. For those who are uncertain how the NFL concussion protocol works, here is an outline of each phase from NFL.com:

PHASE 1: SYMPTOM LIMITED ACTIVITY
The player is prescribed rest, limiting or, if necessary, avoiding activities (both physical and
cognitive) which increase or aggravate symptoms. Under athletic training staff supervision,
limited stretching and balance training can be introduced, progressing to light aerobic exercise,
all as tolerated.

PHASE 2: AEROBIC EXERCISE
Under direct oversight of the team’s medical staff, the player should begin graduated
cardiovascular exercise and may also engage in dynamic stretching and balance training.
Neurocognitive and balance testing can be administered after completion of Phase Two and
the results should be interpreted as back to baseline.

PHASE 3: FOOTBALL-SPECIFIC EXERCISE
The player continues with supervised cardiovascular exercises that are increased and may
mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced. The player is
allowed to practice with the team in sport-specific exercise for 30 minutes or less with
ongoing and careful monitoring.

PHASE 4: CLUB-BASED NON-CONTACT TRAINING DRILLS
The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team-based sports-specific
exercise, and participates in non-contact football activities (e.g.throwing, catching, running, and
other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no
later than the end of Phase Four with the results interpreted as back to baseline.

PHASE 5: FULL FOOTBALL ACTIVITY / CLEARANCE
Upon clearance by the Club physician for full football activity involving contact, the player
must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his Club. If the
INC concurs with the Club physician that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may
participate in his Club’s next practice or game.

Having the certainty of T.J. Watt being available on Saturday helps a Steelers defense who has been dealing with multiple injuries. With many different players rotating in at inside linebacker due to a plethora of injuries, it appears the Steelers have at least secured half of their starting tandem at outside linebacker for Saturday.

As for Alex Highsmith, he was once again a limited participant on Wednesday but still has the opportunity to move through the protocol in order to participate on Saturday. Listed only as a concussion, Highsmith also wasn’t placed in the protocol until Friday as he was ruled out of Thursday night’s game with a neck injury.

Stay tuned to Steel Curtain Network’s continued coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers as they prepare to kickoff the final quarter of the 2023 NFL season by traveling to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Saturday afternoon.