Report: T.J. Watt suffered MCL sprain in Steelers win over Ravens

T.J. Watt sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee late in the third quarter in the Steelers win over the Ravens.

That’s according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who said the Steelers superstar pass rusher argued to go back into the game.

Pittsburgh beat Baltimore, 17-10, to keep its playoff hopes alive. Now, the Steelers will have to cheer for the Titans to beat the Jaguars or the Dolphins to knock off the Bills to earn a wildcard spot.

Steelers star took NFL sack lead against Ravens

Watt had been enjoying an excellent game before the injury. He made eight tackles, six of them solo. Two were sacks of Ravens quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley to give him 19 for the season. His 19th sack was a special moment for Watt and his family. The only two players in NFL history with multiple seasons of at least 19 sacks are T.J. and big brother J.J. Watt, who played for the Texans and the Cardinals before retiring after the 2022 season.

The Steelers will know Sunday whether they make the playoffs. They’ll need either the Jaguars or Bills to lose to qualify for a wildcard berth. So will Watt be able to play? Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said the injury may force him to miss multiple weeks.

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 coach Mike Tomlin didn’t have much new information after the game in regards to Watt.

“T.J. is being evaluated with a knee injury,” Tomlin told reporters. “I’ll have more information probably next time we get together. Obviously, disappointed in that. But there are challenges in the game of football and challenges in life. So, we’ll deal with it whatever it may be.”

Coming into the Ravens game, T.J. Watt and Bengals standout Trey Hendrickson were tied for the NFL lead in sacks. Each had 17. Hendrickson will need two sacks Sunday against the Browns to keep up with Watt. Cleveland is resting quarterback Joe Flacco, so Hendrickson may have an easier time getting multiple sacks.

If Watt maintains the sack advantage, it’ll be the third time in his career to lead the NFL in the category. No other player in league history has led the league in sack three times. The NFL has maintained sack stats since 1982.