Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) will not play in Sunday's wild-card playoff game in Buffalo against the Bills. Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee in the Week 18 regular season finale win over the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday. It was a best-case scenario for the 29-year-old pass-rusher given the way the injury actually looked on the field, but Watt won't be available this weekend and might not be able to play in the Divisional Round if the Steelers pull off the upset over the Bills without him. We wouldn't put it past Watt to be ready if Pittsburgh advances, but the bottom line is that the Steelers defense is going to be missing their best player in a tough matchup on the road against the Bills, who were one of the hottest teams down the stretch in the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt's (knee) brother, J.J. Watt, said that his younger brother is facing a best-case scenario after getting hurt in Saturday's Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens because he's dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Everything else in Watt's knee is intact, so he's expected to only need a couple weeks of rest and recovery before he's good to go. The 29-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher hyperextended his left knee in the second half of Saturday's game when he came down on his teammate's foot. The Steelers have yet to clinch a playoff spot and need some help on Sunday, but if they get in, it's looking like they won't have their best player on defense for the wild-card round, barring a miraculous recovery in a week's time. Watt is one of the most dynamic defenders in the game and finished the regular season with 68 tackles, a league-leading 19 sacks, eight passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) suffered a torn MCL during Saturday's win over the Ravens. It's not good news for Pittsburgh, who still has a chance at earning a postseason berth. However, although he'll undergo further testing, the team may be without their top defensive option throughout the postseason. Watt had a remarkable 2023-24 campaign and will finish with 19 sacks, one of the best marks of his career, so his absence isn't ideal for a Steelers defense that's been a top-10 unit this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) won't return to Saturday's Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The superstar pass rusher exited in the third quarter after suffering a knee injury. Before exiting, Watt recorded two sacks and three tackles. His absence is certainly a huge hit for the Steelers defense. The hope is that this is a minor issue and Watt will be fine for the postseason, assuming the Steelers are able to make the postseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (undisclosed) was banged up late in the Week 17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but he does not appear to be in danger of missing an important Week 18 bout against the Baltimore Ravens. Watt took a few snaps off on Sunday after being twisted awkwardly to the turf, but he said he is fine. "I'll be ready to go for Saturday," Watt said. "No worries." If the Steelers win, they'll have a chance to earn a playoff berth if a few other teams in the AFC playoff picture lose. Needless to say, he doesn't want to miss this game, and he's expected to be full-go.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt ranks second in the league for sacks, one behind Khalil Mack, as he heads into a Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have allowed 30 sacks this season, the tenth-fewest in the league. Watt is dominant enough that he is a must-start against any opponent. He has made a sack in ten of 13 games this season, including quality offensive lines like the 49ers. However, he was blanked last week against the Patriots. After six straight weeks of making half a sack or more, Watts made five tackles but couldn't get to the Patriots quarterback. This week, he will try to get back on the stat sheet.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (head) has been cleared by an independent neurological consultant and is no longer in the league's concussion protocol. Watt took a knee to the jaw early in last Thursday's upset loss to the New England Patriots and was evaluated on the sideline before eventually returning. It was announced after the game that he had entered the concussion protocol, but he has now cleared it, practiced in full on Wednesday and is ready to play this Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. With 14 sacks in 2023, the 29-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher needs to be left in all starting IDP fantasy lineups in Week 15. The Steelers defensive unit is also a pretty solid play for fantasy managers in this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (concussion) was a limited participant in the team's practice on Tuesday. Watt appeared to hit his head hard after a collision with New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott last Thursday. But, after a brief check with the medical staff, he was cleared to return. However, on Friday, Watt reported concussion-like symptoms and was placed in the concussion protocol. With the extended rest, the All-Pro linebacker could be ready to play in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. He'll have a couple more practices to upgrade his status before Saturday's game.
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol, according to Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten. Watt came in on Friday experiencing concussion symptoms and must now be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can return to play. The good news is the Steelers have a mini-bye and won't play again until next Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts after losing to the New England Patriots on Thursday night. Not only was Thursday another bad loss for Pittsburgh, but now their two best pass-rushers -- Watt and Alex Highsmith -- are in concussion protocol and may not be able to play next week. The 29-year-old Watt is a must-start in IDP fantasy leagues when he's healthy. Through 13 games, he has 14 sacks, 52 tackles (37 solo), 14 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, an interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown).
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt could blow up in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are starting fifth-round rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. The UCLA product threw three interceptions and took four sacks in his only start of the season, a 3-28 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Watt is an elite playmaker. He has made 10.5 sacks, an interception, six pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in nine games. Even veteran quarterbacks can struggle against the aggressive Steelers' defense. DTR is likely to struggle greatly in only his second start. T.J. Watt is in a good position to make him struggle and post a big fantasy week.
