Steelers LB T.J. Watt joined rarified air with sack vs the Lions

T.J. Watt’s day ended on a low note as the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker suffered hip and knee injuries in Sunday’s tie with the Detroit Lions. However, before Watt was injured, Watt got a sack that put him in with some truly elite company and gives him some bragging rights at the Watt family Thanksgiving dinner.

The sack gave Watt 11.5 on the season and 61 for his career. Watt racked up those 61 sacks in just 70 career games, which is the second-most in NFL history. He passed the great Derrick Thomas and his big brother J.J. Watt to take over second place by himself. The only player watt didn’t catch is the immortal Reggie White.

What is most remarkable about what Watt has done this season is he has missed all or part of three games with injuries. Watt’s status for this week’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers should be more clear when head coach Mike Tomlin addresses the media on Tuesday.

With @_TJWatt’s sack of Jared Goff, he has passed HOFer Derrick Thomas and brother @JJWatt for the second-most sacks by a player in his first 70 games.

1. Reggie White (79)
2. T.J. Watt (62)
3. Derrick Thomas / J.J. Watt (61)

— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) November 14, 2021