UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: Though the Pittsburgh Steelers are awaiting MRI results on Sunday back in Pittsburgh on T.J. Watt’s knee, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday at halftime of the Colts-Texans game that the initial testing in the locker room on Watt’s knee showed a Grade 3 MCL sprain, which is a full rupture.
“He went to the locker room and the initial testing showed a Grade 3 sprained MCL pending further testing in Pittsburgh on Sunday and then we’ll see if it does confirm the initial diagnosis,” Schefter said on ESPN, according to audio. “Either way, it certainly seems like it’s going to be challenging for Watt to make it back for the postseason if the Steelers are able and fortunate enough to get one of the scenarios that they need this weekend.
“But TJ Watt does have the Grade 3 sprained MCL, Scott.”
UPDATE, 8:36 p.m.: According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, Watt is scheduled for an MRI Sunday back in Pittsburgh to determine the extent of the knee injury he suffered Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
According to the tweet from Dulac, Watt’s injury cannot be properly evaluated until then, so the severity will be determined Sunday, which will lead to a better understanding of the exact injury Watt is dealing with, and what the timeline looks like for the Steelers’ star pass rusher.
Our original story on Watt’s knee injury is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ star outside linebacker T.J. Watt is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL in the third quarter Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens, leading to him exiting the game and being ruled out quickly. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers believe Watt suffered a sprained MCL, though they are waiting further testing results.
Schefter reported the news of Watt just moments ago on Twitter.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport gave further context to Watt’s injury, reporting that it’s a Grade 3 MCL sprain.
According to Rapoport, the Grade 3 MCL sprain is a multi-week injury, which would throw a serious wrench into the Steelers’ post-season plans should they make it. Still, if Watt wanted to come back into the game, there’s a good chance he isn’t missing a playoff game with the injury, though he would likely be limited.
Watt was injured on a play in the third quarter after jumping trying to defend a pass from Baltimore quarterback Tyler Huntley. After coming back down to the ground, Watt banged knees with defensive lineman Montravius Adams. Watt was seen on the ESPN broadcast banging the ground in pain as teammates surrounded him and got down on a knee as he was tended to by trainers.
According to Schefter, Watt wanted back in the game, but the Steelers overruled him and kept him out.
Prior to the injury, Watt had two sacks of Huntley, giving him 19.0 on the season as he made a late push for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
