T.J. Watt Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

NFL sack leader T.J. Watt suffers concerning knee injury

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 1/6/24

Pittsburgh Steelers superstar T.J. Watt recorded two sacks against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, moving him into the league lead and giving him his second 19-sack season. However, it's a play where he did not record a sack that is going to get the most attention.

Watt had to leave the game late in the third quarter with a knee injury after teammate Montravius Adams fell on him during a passing play.

#Steelers OLB TJ Watt suffered a knee injury and will NOT return to tonight's game.

This was the play:pic.twitter.com/6uqvhlEmmN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 6, 2024

After the game, a 17-10 Steelers win, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided a concerning update on Watt:

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

Watt is just the fourth player in league history (since the league officially started tracking sacks as a stat) to record at least 19 sacks in a season multiple times, joining his brother J.J. Watt, Mark Gastineau and DeMarcus Ware.

The only players in NFL history to have multiple seasons with 19.0+ sacks:
- T.J. Watt
- J.J Watt
- DeMarcus Ware
- Mark Gastineau pic.twitter.com/s7ibshRweu
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2024

This is a huge blow to the Steelers, who still have a chance to make the playoffs. If they do get in, they will most likely need Watt to have any sort of a chance to make a significant run. He is not only their best player, but he is also their most impactful and important player. The Steelers are just 1-10 in games he has not played and 69-33-2 when he does play.

The Steelers are already dealing with major injuries on defense that includes both of their starting middle linebackers (Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander) as well as several top safeties (Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal, with Damontae Kazee serving a suspension). Adding Watt to that list is significant.

More must-reads: