Steelers Confirm T.J. Watt Is Out for Playoff Game vs. Bills

Pittsburgh will be without its star linebacker for Sunday’s wild-card matchup against Buffalo.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt will not play in the Steelers’ wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday.

Watt’s absence in Sunday’s contest as no surprise as the Steelers’ star suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Pittsburgh’s 17–10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The six-time Pro Bowler exited Saturday’s game in the third quarter after running into teammate Montravius Adams.

Should Pittsburgh win on Sunday, Tomlin has not ruled out the possibility of Watt playing in the next round of the postseason. However, with Watt’s absence, Markus Golden will start in his place on Saturday.

Watt suffered an MCL sprain in the Steelers’ final game of the regular season :: Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports

In the Steelers’ win on Saturday, Watt registered his 19th sack. Watt is also among the favorites to win this year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, an honor he previously won in the 2021 season.

The Steelers (10–7) will go on the road to face the Bills (11–6) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium.