ATLANTA – Despite being bothered by a rib injury that limited him in practice for the entire week, outside linebacker T.J. Watt will play Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Watt was not among the players on the inactives list released by the Steelers.
Watt sat out seven games earlier this season with pectoral and knee injuries. He will play in his fourth consecutive game Sunday.
The five players inactive for the game are quarterback Mason Rudolph, guard Kendrick Green, cornerback Josh Jackson, defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk and linebacker Mark Robinson.
DeMarvin Leal, who was activated from injured reserve Saturday, is on the game day roster as is outside linebacker Malik Reed, who was added to the injury report with a back injury. He takes the spot of Loudermilk, who missed practice Thursday and Friday with a personal matter.
Loudermilk also was a healthy scratch early in the season until Leal’s knee injury.
Najee Harris will start at running back after missing the second half of the Steelers’ 24-17 win Monday night at Indianapolis with an abdominal injury. After a one-game absence because of a hamstring injury, backup running back Jaylen Warren is active. Benny Snell, who rushed for a team-high 62 yards against the Colts, also is a backup option.
The Steelers, with a 4-7 record, are seeking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
