Watt to miss wild-card game vs. Bills with knee injury
Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt won't play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills due to a knee injury, head coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, which is considered a multi-week injury, in last Saturday's win over the Baltimore Ravens.
The linebacker was hurt after his leg was caught awkwardly in the turf after a collision with a teammate.
In more positive news for the Steelers, Tomlin said he's optimistic safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will be able to suit up against the Bills. Fitzpatrick missed the last three games with a knee injury.
The coach also confirmed that Mason Rudolph will remain the starting quarterback for the start of playoffs despite Kenny Pickett's return to health. Rudolph started the last three games, leading Pittsburgh to three wins to secure a postseason berth.
Watt is the key piece of Pittsburgh's top-tier defense, which ranked sixth in points allowed. The 29-year-old led the NFL in sacks with 19, while the rest of the Steelers produced 28 total quarterback takedowns.
Without its Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Pittsburgh is now facing a far tougher task to stop one of the league's best quarterbacks, Josh Allen, and one of the best overall offenses. Buffalo finished the season sixth in points per game, fourth in total yards per contest, and first in third-down percentage.
The Steelers will rely more heavily on Alex Highsmith and Markus Golden with Watt out.