NFL teams with their playoff spots secured are resting plenty of their starters in Week 18. The Steelers are fighting for their postseason lives, and one of their starters might be at risk of missing time if Pittsburgh's season continues.
During the third quarter of Saturday's contest with the Ravens, star linebacker T.J. Watt was injured after a collision with a teammate attempting to defend a pass from Tyler Huntley to Nelson Agholor. Watt immediately reached for his leg and pounded the turf as training staff rushed out to attend him.
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is in the midst of another DPOY-caliber campaign, and he was looking to make his final push for the honors on Saturday. He had racked up a pair of sacks and three tackles for loss, pushing his totals to 19 and 18, the former leading the league and the latter tied for fourth.
An extended absence of Watt would be crushing for the Steelers' postseason hopes should Pittsburgh make it into the playoffs.
MORE: How the Steelers can make the playoffs in Week 18
Here's the latest on Watt's injury.
T.J. Watt injury update
The Steelers' standout pass-rusher went down with an injury with 4:14 to play in the third quarter. Not long after the injury, he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
#Steelers LB T.J. Watt suffered a knee injury and is OUT for the rest of today's game.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) January 6, 2024
Watt had leaped into the air trying to potentially deflect a pass from Huntley to Agholor, which wound up going for 16 yards to the Ravens' 48-yard line. After Watt landed, defensive tackle Montravius Adams collided with Watt, which appeared to cause the injury.
Watt was able to walk off the field on his own power and could be seen walking in the locker room, though he appeared to be hobbled as he walked alongside a member of the training staff.
Following the game, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on "NFL Countdown" the team believes Watt sustained a Grade 3 MCL sprain, pending further testing. That injury could potentially cost him several weeks, though it does not necessarily end his season.
Watt's older brother J.J. said on social media Sunday that T.J. suffered a less-severe Grade 2 MCL sprain, calling it the "best case scenario."
"Everything else looks pristine," J.J. wrote. "Couple weeks of rest/recovery."