Defensive MVP candidate T.J. Watt will play today against the Titans and intends to gut it out for the duration of the season hoping to lead the struggling Steelers back to the playoffs while chasing the sack title as well. Watt was very limited in Week 14 against the Vikings, and is battling a painful groin injury which limits his burst at times. The groin continued to be an issue this week, and Watt barely took part in practice, but told the coaches he is good to go for Week 15.
“He’s going to have to fight through this for the rest of the season,” said one source close to the situation. “That’s just how it’s going to be. It’s going to be a thing for the rest of the season. But he is a warrior. He’ll gut it out this week and he’ll fight through it as long as he can. He wants to win and he wants that sack record, too.”
Watt, despite his many injuries this season, is still within range of Michael Strahan’s single-season sack mark, and has been an absolute game-wrecker when healthy. Watt has 16 sacks in just 11 games and is chasing Strahan’s mark of 22.5 sacks, set in 2001. Watt has registered two sacks or more in five of the nine full games he has played this season.
KVSP