A Grade 2 MCL sprain was sustained by Pittsburgh Steelers standout player T.J. Watt during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. He could play again if the Steelers make it farther in the playoffs, but he is officially out for at least one playoff game. After crashing into a teammate, Watt sustained an injury. With 19 sacks during the season, he led the NFL in sacks. The diagnosis was better than anticipated, giving optimism for a later postseason return despite early fears of a more serious injury.
The six-time Pro Bowl pass rusher had two sacks and a team-high eight tackles before he left. With this, his season total rose to 19.0, the highest in the NFL before Sunday’s action. By winning 17–10 in the end, the Steelers increased their prospects of making the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills or Jacksonville Jaguars must now lose for the team to secure a wild card berth. In the event that the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts game on Saturday night ends in a draw, they would also qualify for the postseason.
Watt’s health will be constantly watched going forward. The 29-year-old is essential to the defensive line output of the Pittsburgh Steelers. No other player on the roster had more than three quarterback takedowns this season going into Saturday’s game, with the exception of Alex Highsmith, who had seven sacks. Should Watt is unable to play and the Steelers advance to the playoffs, In the wild card round, Teryl Austin, the defensive coordinator, will probably rely on Highsmith to sustain the team’s pass pressure.
