The decision on whether or not to play starters in Week 17 of the NFL season is something that each team has to make. After already making the decision to sit Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers will also be resting T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Maurkice Pouncey against the Cleveland Browns, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
It was announced earlier this week by Mike Tomlin that Roethlisberger wouldn't be suiting up on Sunday versus the Browns. As a result, Pittsburgh will have Mason Rudolph operating the offense at the quarterback position.
In addition to Roethlisberger, the Steelers will now have at least these three other starters inactive against their division rival. Even though Pittsburgh could still secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a win and some help, they are prioritizing their health heading into the playoffs.
With Watt sitting the regular-season finale, he finishes the season with a league-high 15 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. The fourth-year edge rusher is hoping to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the first time.
As for Pouncey and Heyward, both veterans are crucial to the interior of the offense and defense, respectively. In light of that, Tomlin wants to ensure that both of them are healthy when the Steelers begin their journey toward a Super Bowl in January.
On the other hand, the Browns could now have an easier path to making the postseason with Pittsburgh being a bit shorthanded on Sunday. However, Cleveland could be shorthanded themselves again due to issues with COVID-19.
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