All Steelers

Steelers LB T.J. Watt Makes NFL History

Pittsburgh Steelers superstar T.J. Watt made history as he eyes a second Defensive Player of the Year award.

Stephen Thompson

In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers superstar T.J. Watt didn't need to play a full game against the Baltimore Ravens to make NFL history and add an exclamation point to his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. 

With an eight-tackle, two-sack and three-tackle for loss performance in a critical Week 18 win over the Ravens, Watt became the first player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks in three different seasons. He is also just the fourth player in league history with multiple 19-sack seasons. One of the other four is his brother, J.J., who was lobbying hard for Watt all night long. 

The other two players were DeMarcus Ware and Mark Gastineau.

Watt was a game-wrecker for the Steelers as they finished off a season sweep of their rivals from Baltimore and gave their playoff odds a massive boost with the regular season winding down. 

He suffered a knee injury late in the game when defensive tackle Montravius Adams stumbled backward and unknowingly bumped knees with Watt, who was attended to by trainers before leaving the field entirely. 

Watt's injury is believed to keep him sidelined for multiple weeks, but he could return in time for the playoffs - more tests are required before a final diagnosis is available. But if it is Watt's last game of the season, he can rest comfortably knowing he did all he could to give the Steelers a shot at making the playoffs and himself a shot at the most prestigious award an NFL defender can win while also etching his name in league record books. 

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Steelers Star Will Return for Playoffs

Report: Steelers LB T.J. Watt Avoids ACL Tear

Steelers Week 18 Playoff Scenario

Steelers LB T.J. Watt Suffers Knee Injury

Steelers Safety Suffers Neck Injury Against Ravens

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general. 

Home/News