The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their star outside linebacker for the AFC Wild Card Round clash against the Buffalo Bills. According to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Watt is dealing with a knee injury and is unable to take the field on Sunday.
Watt, who is the front-runner for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, got hurt in a Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers didn’t disclose details about his injury, but the 29-year-old player is reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and will be out for at least a couple of weeks.
Tomlin said that Watt’s absence is “significant “but added that he’s confident in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge.
“Obviously playing without T.J. is significant, but to be quite honest with you, we’ve played without a lot of people this year,” Tomlin said. “It’s just another opportunity for us to strike a blow for team and to display what team really means, a collective of individuals that work together in an effort to produce an outcome. “
Watt finished the 2023 regular season leading the league with 19.0 sacks while also adding 68 tackles, 36 QB hits, eight pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and one interception. He also has one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
