T.J. Watt's pursuit of the NFL's single-season sack record could bring him punishment from the league. The All-Pro edge rusher told The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday he used his cell phone to check his sack total during halftime of the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL players are not allowed to use cell phones during games, and Watt said he "never" does, but the Ravens game was an exception because he was a sack away from passing Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22.5.
#Steelers LB T.J. Watt admitted on the @dpshow that he used his cellphone during halftime of the #Ravens games in hopes to find out if he broke the single season sack record.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 19, 2022
According to league rules, that is prohibited.pic.twitter.com/SWTBP0BV0A
Watt's coaches told him he recorded sack No. 23.5 after tapping a grounded Tyler Huntley in the first half, but Watt learned through a group chat with his brothers – including three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt – the play was reversed to a tackle. The Wisconsin product finished the Jan. 9 game with one sack to tie Strahan's record.
This would have tied the NFL’s single-season sack record for TJ Watt but they ruled it a fumble by the center
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) January 9, 2022
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/oj9fzxSc5P
While Watt didn't get the personal record he was vying for, he led the Steelers to a 16-13 overtime win over Baltimore to reach the playoffs in what's likely quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's last NFL season. The Steelers were defeated handily by the Kansas City Chiefs 42-21 in last week's Wild Card matchup.
Watt, a 27-year-old and four-time Pro Bowler, will likely have more chances to pass Stranahan's single-season sack record thanks to the NFL expanding its regular season to 17 games.
