The MRI on T.J. Watt's hip and knee injuries provided positive news for the Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday on NFL NOW that there is little, if any, structural damage to Watt's hip and knee, per a source informed of the situation.
Rapoport added that Watt is sore, and if there were a game today, he wouldn't be able to play. But the good news from the tests suggests Watt might be able to play this week against the Los Angeles Chargers, and if he has to miss a game, the absence should be brief -- as little as one game.
The Steelers later announced the safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had been placed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list. Ben Roethlisberger was placed on the COVID-19 list on Saturday, which led to Mason Rudolph starting Sunday's 16-16 tie with the Detroit Lions. Pittsburgh also signed quarterback James Morgan to the practice squad Monday.
Watt exited the tie after suffering the two injuries on a third-quarter sack of Jared Goff. The Defensive Player of the Year candidate brought his season sack total to 12.5 with the QB takedown -- Watt is half a sack behind league-leader Myles Garrett.
After tying the Lions, the Steelers have three straight pivotal AFC matchups against playoff contenders -- at Los Angeles, at Cincinnati, vs. Baltimore. The possibility of having Watt available for all or most of those games would be significant for the Steelers' chances of clinging to a playoff spot.