Steelers OLB T.J. Watt Won’t Play in Pro Bowl Due to Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt will not participate in the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games thanks to the injury that he suffered in the team’s Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Watt suffered a Grade 2 sprain to the MCL in his left knee late in the Steelers’ 17-10 win in Baltimore on Jan. 6. He missed the team’s season-ending playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. 

Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday that Watt would have been able to play this week if the Steelers had been able to advance in the postseason. But apparently, Watt isn’t feeling quite good enough to put that knee on the line for an exhibition.

Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks this season and became the first player in the modern era to lead the league in sacks three times in his career. He was also named a first-team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career.

Watt is a six-time Pro Bowl selection, although he also withdrew citing injury after the 2022 season. He will be replaced by linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of the Cleveland Browns. Owusu-Koramoah is a first-time Pro Bowler.

Watt will likely not be the only Steelers Pro Bowl selection to opt out due to injury, as free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has also been nursing a knee injury and made his return to action against the Bills. 

Special teamer Miles Killebrew seems to be the only Steelers player that is assured of playing in the game. Wide receiver George Pickens finished fifth in receiving yards among AFC wideouts and running back Najee Harris was third in rushing yards. They could be in line for selection as a replacement.

The games will be held on Feb. 1 and 4 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, in the week between the conference championship games and Super Bowl LVIII, which will take place on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.

The Pro Bowl Games were held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last year, as well as the final Pro Bowl in 2022. Before that, it was held in Orlando from 2017-20.