Pass-rusher T.J. Watt missed a significant milestone by the skin of his teeth in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
After a big-time third-down solo sack brought Watt within a half-sack of history, he was robbed of a half-sack that would’ve entered him into 100-sack club. The statisticians gave Cameron Heyward a solo sack, even after Watt’s assist.
Even the announcers were puzzled. “They give Heyward the sack,” said Jim Nance. “I thought they might share it with Watt. Had it been a half-sack, Watt would’ve been at 100 exactly.”
Watt will surpass Hall of Fame defensive end DeMarcus Ware as the second-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks since 1982 (when individual sacks became an official stat).
There are absolutely no concerns that Watt will get it, likely next week versus Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts. But it would’ve been a nice touch for the achievement to happen in his home stadium in front of thousands of amped-up Steelers faithful.
Let’s not make light of Heyward’s performance, though. According to Steelers public relations, his 81.5 career sacks are the most by a defensive lineman in franchise history, second-most by any player in franchise history, second-most by an active NFL defensive tackle and ninth-most by a defensive tackle in NFL history.
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