On Saturday, during the Pittsburgh Steelers' crucial victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, star player T.J. Watt suffered a knee injury that has now officially ruled him out for at least one game of the playoffs. The injury comes as a significant blow to the team's defense as they prepare to face the No. 2 Buffalo Bills in the wild-card game on Sunday.

Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Tuesday that Watt's Grade 2 MCL sprain will keep him sidelined for the upcoming matchup against the Bills. Initially, the injury was believed to be more severe, with NFL Media reporting a Grade 3 MCL sprain and a torn MCL. However, after an MRI, it was determined that Watt's condition is better than initially thought, with the diagnosis being a Grade 2 MCL sprain. This type of injury typically requires a few weeks of rest and recovery.

The Steelers' hope remains that if they can secure a playoff victory or two, they may see Watt return to the field later in the postseason. Watt's absence will undoubtedly be felt, as he finished the regular season as the NFL's leading sack artist with an impressive 19 sacks. This is the third time that Watt has led the league in sacks, making him the first player to achieve this feat. Additionally, he joins an elite group of just four players in NFL history to record 19 or more sacks in two different seasons.

The injury occurred in the third quarter of the game against the Ravens when Watt collided with teammate Montravius Adams in an unfortunate "friendly fire" incident. Immediately after the collision, Watt sought medical attention in the blue tent before eventually being taken into the locker room.

The news of Watt's injury drew concern from his older brother, JJ Watt, who himself has experienced two seasons with 19-plus sacks. He took to Twitter to express his support and concern for T.J.

The Steelers will face the Bills in the wild-card game on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, hoping to overcome Watt's absence and continue their playoff journey. The team's performance against Buffalo will undoubtedly be impacted by the absence of their star defensive player, but they will rely on their depth and resilience to compensate for his loss on the field.