TJ Watt suffers serious knee injury during win over Ravens
Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) before playing the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. on Saturday night, but the victory came at a cost.
Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt suffered a knee injury in the game. The injury occurred when a teammate inadvertently bumped into him.
#TJWatt
Hope the wet weather and poor footing prevents a more significant knee injury but still likley to misshttps://t.co/4h3nzOk1tp pic.twitter.com/FZgXsEhZBq— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) January 6, 2024
The good news is that Watt appeared to avoid an ACL injury. However, he reportedly suffered a sprained MCL, which will likely prevent him from playing in the postseason if the Steelers advance.
Based on initial tests, #Steelers potential DPOY TJ Watt is believed to have suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain, sources said. He’ll have further tests, but that’s a multi-week injury.
Better than an ACL tear. But not good if PIT makes the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/vG6YshWUKm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2024
Steelers believe Defensive-Player-of-the-Year candidate T.J. Watt suffered a sprained MCL vs. the Ravens pending further testing, per source. Watt wanted to go back into the game with the injury, but the Steelers wouldn’t allow it. pic.twitter.com/twXXW9h1Tg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2024
The injury to Watt’s knee came moments after he racked up his second sack of the game, which gave him 19 for the season. The 29-year-old had 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss and 2 quarterback hits in the game.
Pittsburgh is now 10-7 but they need some help from Miami or Tennessee to get into the playoffs.
Steelers now need one of these three scenarios to happen in order to make the playoffs:
🏈Jaguars lose to Titans or tie.
🏈Bills lose to Dolphins.
🏈Colts-Texans game ends in a tie. pic.twitter.com/Y320zMoDCi
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2024