Steelers' T.J. Watt Out vs. Bills in 2024 NFL Playoffs with Knee Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers won't have T.J. Watt available for their AFC Wild Card Game against the Buffalo Bills.

Head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday that Watt's knee injury will keep him out on Sunday.

Even though it's somewhat surprising Tomlin decided to announce this early in the week that Watt wouldn't be available, it's not a shock to hear that he is unable to play.

Watt suffered the injury in the third quarter of Saturday's win over the Baltimore Ravens. He jumped in the air attempting to disrupt a pass from Tyler Huntley, but when he landed his knee collided with teammate Montravius Adams and bent backward at an awkward angle.

J.J. Watt, T.J.'s brother, posted on social media that T.J.'s diagnosis of a Grade 2 MCL sprain was a "best case scenario" and he should be fine with a couple of weeks of rest and recovery.

While that is good news for the long-term, it does mean the Steelers have to go into a playoff game without their best player.

Pittsburgh managed to secure the No. 7 seed in the AFC with a victory over Baltimore and the Jacksonville Jaguars' loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The Steelers finished the regular season ranked sixth in points allowed per game. They have allowed 23 points or fewer in four of the past five games. That unit will attempt to slow down a Bills offense that scored the sixth-most points per game.

Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks and ranked fifth in tackles for loss in 17 starts. Alex Highsmith, who was second on the team with seven sacks, will be counted on to pick up the pass-rush with the six-time Pro Bowler unavailable.

The Steelers and Bills will play at Highmark Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.