The Steelers qualified for the 2024 NFL playoffs with a Week 18 victory over their AFC North division foe Ravens, but they lost their most powerful defensive player in the process.
T.J. Watt, the team’s star edge rusher, suffered a knee injury during the victory, putting his postseason status in danger.
Watt was one of the top defensive players in the NFL this season, and he is considered a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year among other pass-rushing talents such as the Browns’ Myles Garrett and the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons.
Watt was one of the top defensive players in the NFL this season, and he is considered a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year among other pass-rushing talents such as the Browns’ Myles Garrett and the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons.
Watt concluded the 2023 season with an NFL-high 19.0 sacks, making him the first player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks three times. He also topped the league in sacks in 2020 and 2021.
MORE: Sporting News’ NFL experts share their playoff and Super Bowl 58 predictions.
Will the Steelers be without their three-time All-Pro edge rusher when they face the Bills in the first round on Sunday, Jan. 14? The Sporting News has you covered with the most recent developments below.
Watt will not play in the Steelers’ AFC wild-card game against the Bills this Sunday.
This is a major blow to Pittsburgh, which has gone 1-10 in games without Watt since drafting him in 2017.
“Obviously, playing without T.J. is significant, but to be honest with you, we’ve played without a lot of people this year,” Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s just another opportunity for us to strike a blow for team and demonstrate what team truly means: a group of people who work together to create a result. It will not be a one-man task to replace T.J. Just like I stood before you and stated similar things to Cameron Heyward,
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