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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive linebacker TJ Watt will miss Monday’s game against the Miami Dolphins after undergoing surgery for a partially collapsed lung, an injury reportedly sustained during a dry-needling session.
The procedure took place on Thursday, as his brother JJ Watt confirmed to X.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Friday that Watt is recovering comfortably at home, but will not be available for the upcoming home game against the surging Dolphins. However, Tomlin declined to speculate on whether Watt’s absence would extend beyond this week.
The 30-year-old linebacker was hospitalized on Wednesday after reporting “discomfort” while being treated by the Steelers’ medical staff.
His brother explained that the discomfort had arisen during a dry-needling session. Dry needling, as described by the Cleveland Clinic, is a therapeutic technique in which needles are inserted into trigger points within muscles to reduce pain and improve movement.
Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has been a cornerstone of the Steelers’ defense for nearly a decade, making 56 consecutive regular season starts despite a recent toe problem.
He has recorded seven sacks this season, contributing to Pittsburgh’s one-game lead in the AFC North. Historically, the Steelers have struggled significantly without Watt, particularly going 1-6 in 2022 while recovering from a pectoral injury.
Nick Herbig is expected to start in place of Watt against Miami. Herbig has impressed in his third season with 6.5 sacks, second on the team to Watt. He acknowledged Watt’s influence, saying: “I think (TJ) has shaped not only himself, but a group of young guys in the sense that they’ve been able to take on that bigger role, not only as a player but as a leader, and bring that energy and do everything he does right.”
Longtime Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward expressed concern for Watt’s well-being, prioritizing his friend’s health over the team’s immediate challenges. “You never want to hear something like this happening,” Hayward said. “But you know, he’s more concerned about how he’s doing, you know, on a friend level and as a brother.”
Tomlin noted earlier Thursday that Watt had not reported any chest problems this season and admitted he had “no idea” about the specifics of the dry-needling session, adding that he was “in no position to dispute anything that was said by someone close to him.” The Steelers now face a significant challenge as they go through a significant portion of their season without their defensive talisman.