Steelers superstar T.J. Watt’s status became clearer on Sunday following a knee injury sustained against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
Watt was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. The Defensive-Player-of-the-Year candidate was initially believed to have suffered a torn MCL. The injury itself is not as serious as once feared, but it still spells trouble for Pittsburgh.
Watt will likely miss the Steelers’ playoff opener on Wild Card weekend in the event they clinch a postseason spot, and could possibly miss the divisional round should Pittsburgh advance.
Watt’s injury occured in the third quarter against Baltimore after teammate Montravius Adams collided with his knee on a play. Watt was down on the field with teammates taking a knee around him before he went to the blue medical tent, and eventually back to the locker room. He was ruled out after.
J.J. Watt, brother of T.J. and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, called it the “best case scenario” for the six-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher.
The Steelers need a loss or a tie from the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Tennessee Titans, or a Buffalo Bills loss against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday to clinch a postseason berth. But their first round of the playoffs would be harder without their star defender.
Watt produced eight tackles and two sacks prior to his injury, a team-high for the Steelers. The 29-year-old leads the NFL in sacks with 19.