After the Pittsburgh Steelers secured their win against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, the next matter at hand is now who will be on the field in place of TJ Watt. While leading the NFL in sacks for the third time, Watt sustained an injury in the latter stages of the third quarter when he collided with defensive tackle Montravius Adams, forcing him to leave the field. Although he managed to walk off independently, it was determined that he would not be able to return for the remainder of the game. Before his injury, Watt recorded two sacks on Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley. His medical evaluation revealed that he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, which will keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
Associated Press
Steelers' TJ Watt leaves game with injured knee in poor weather conditions.
In the wake of Watt's departure, replacements such as Nick Herbig and Markus Golden were called upon to step in. Golden himself rose to the challenge and managed to record a sack late in the fourth quarter. In addition to Herbig and Golden, Alex Highsmith will also need to elevate his performance. Highsmith's contributions throughout the regular season were commendable, as he recorded seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. As the team looks towards their first playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Highsmith's continued growth and success will be crucial in maintaining the team's defensive effectiveness and complementing Watt's exceptional playmaking abilities.
Furthermore, Herbig has experience performing in significant situations in the past, and alongside Golden, they were able to alleviate some of the pressure on the outside after Watt got injured during the game against the Ravens. Nonetheless, going up against starters of playoff caliber would present a completely new challenge for them both.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers rookie Nick Herbig coming off the edge to put pressure on Bills QB during Week 2 of the 2023 preseason.
Speaking on Watt's injury, Golden gave his thoughts regarding the situation.
"We don't know what's going on with him yet, but you can't replace a guy like TJ Watt. He's the greatest defensive player in the NFL right now. We hope he's all right. We just have to wait and see. Me and Nick have been working hard all year, but we want him out there with us."
Steelers are Taking Precautions
Watt's determination to get back in the game is commendable; however, it is crucial to approach the situation with caution. Amid the intensity, injuries can often be deceiving and conceal the actual severity of the damage. Recognizing this, the Steelers made a wise and responsible choice by refraining from allowing him to return to the rainy game with his injury. Their decision was guided by the understanding that safeguarding his long-term well-being took precedence over any potential immediate benefits.
Philip G. Pavely / USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph (2).
Despite not being the ideal update that fans were eagerly anticipating, the news of Watt's injury does provide a sense of hope, especially when reflecting on the initial concerns of a severe grade 3 MCL sprain or worse, an ACL tear. The mere thought of losing an athlete like Watt just before transitioning to the playoffs is hard bearing for countless fans. Nevertheless, with the resurgence of the offense, thanks to the impressive performances by Mason Rudolph, there remains hope that the Steelers can still make a profound playoff run and conceivably see the return of their exceptional linebacker.
How do you think Pittsburgh will perform next weekend against Buffalo if Watt is unable to play? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
