The Steelers are concerned that T.J. Watt, a candidate for the defensive MVP, may have suffered a Grade 3 left MCL sprain during the crucial 17-10 victory over the Ravens on Saturday, pending further examinations, according to a source informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The injury occurred in the third quarter, shortly after Watt secured his second sack of the game. Unfortunately, he landed awkwardly after jumping and collided with teammate Montravius Adams. Despite Watt’s desire to return to the game, the Steelers decided against allowing him to do so.
Watt, visibly frustrated, lay on the wet, muddy turf, pounding his fist after the play while his teammates took a knee around him. After spending several minutes in the sideline medical tent, Watt, who managed to leave the field under his own power, walked gingerly back to the locker room for further evaluation.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts expressed the significance of Watt to the team, stating, “Obviously, man, T.J. is a big part of not just our defense but our team. Great leader and a great guy, on and off the field. I’m hoping it’s not as bad… from the standpoint of our team, we definitely don’t want to see T.J. go down.”
Up to that point, Watt had an impressive performance with two sacks and a tackle for loss, bringing his season total to 19. He leads the NFL in sacks and is the second player in league history to achieve multiple seasons with at least 19 sacks, following in the footsteps of his older brother, J.J.
Coach Mike Tomlin expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the severity of Watt’s injury, stating, “I’ll probably have more information next time we get together. Obviously disappointed in that, but there are challenges in the game of football, there are challenges in life. So we’ll deal with it, whatever it may be.”
In Watt’s absence, the Steelers turned to Markus Golden and rookie Nick Herbig to rotate in opposite Alex Highsmith. Golden, who joined the team in free agency, made a crucial sack on Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley during the final drive, forcing Baltimore to settle for a field goal.
Golden emphasized the team’s commitment to playing hard for Watt, stating, “I just want to get out there and win the game for my team. Get out there and compete for T.J. You got to play hard for a guy like him when he goes down because that’s what he does.”
If further testing confirms the Grade 3 MCL sprain and the Steelers make the playoffs, it’s unlikely that Watt would be available for the first round. This adds to the challenges the team has faced in a season full of defensive replacements. Defensive captain Cameron Heyward stressed the collective effort required to fill Watt’s shoes, acknowledging the need for various players to step up in his absence.
