Steelers Rule Out Former Badgers Star For NFL Playoff Opener

The move to rule out star pass rusher T.J. Watt wasn't unexpected after his knee injury in Week 18.

The expected became official on Tuesday, as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt for this weekend’s NFL playoff game.

The Steelers are set to play the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday at noon central.

Watt suffered a knee injury in the Steelers’ Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens, a game the Steelers needed to win — along with some help from other teams — in order to qualify for the playoffs.

But it came at the cost of Watt’s health. His brother, T.J. Watt, revealed on Monday that his brother suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain. But he also called it a best-case scenario in a post on social media.

“Best case scenario for TJ,” J.J. Watt wrote. “Everything else looks pristine. Couple weeks of rest/recovery.”

Now Watt will have to wait to see if his Steelers can put together a long playoff run in an effort to give him a chance to return to the field.

If J.J. Watt’s post is accurate, the younger Watt could be available for an AFC Championship Game in three weeks.

Even though he left the finale early, Watt ended up leading the NFL in sacks with 19. He is now the rare defender to lead the NFL in sacks three different times, as he led the league in that category in both 2020 and 2021.

He’s a prime candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an award he has also won twice. A win this year would allow him to match his brother with three NFLDPOY trophies.

Watt was named to his sixth Pro Bowl last week, but it’s now possible he’ll skip participating in the event due to the injury. The Pro Bowl games are set for Feb. 4 in Orlando.

Another former Badger, Miami fullback Alec Ingold, was named to his first Pro Bowl last week. He and Watt made Wisconsin one of three Big Ten teams with multiple selections along with Iowa and Ohio State.