Before their Wild Card round game against the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers received heartbreaking news about one of their standout defenders. The Steelers had a costly win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, but their victory kept them in the postseason chase until the Jacksonville Jaguars’ collapse drove them in.
However, they were without probably their best player for the whole of the playoffs.
With the #Steelers officially in the playoffs, and star TJ Watt dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, sources say the absolute best-case scenario for this injury is to play in two weeks with a brace.
So to get Watt back on the field, Pittsburgh likely needs to win a few.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2024
The Steelers will miss Watt next weekend
T.J. Watt, the Steelers’ star pass rusher, was injured during Saturday night’s victory. Watt suffered a grade two MCL sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. If everything goes as planned, the Steelers will face Watt in the AFC Championship game.
BOOM! #steelers @_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/K2RtY5CDCS
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) January 8, 2024
Watt’s presence has been a big factor in the Steelers’ late-season comeback. Watt lead the NFL in sacks with 19 this season.
The Steelers could have utilized Watt against star quarterback Josh Allen the following week. Without another pass rusher like Watt, the Steelers will struggle to advance far enough for him to return.