Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt had surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung suffered during a dry needling session.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt, 30, has seven sacks this season for the Steelers (7-6), who hold a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (6-7) for the AFC North lead with four weeks remaining.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after Friday’s practice that Watt was at home resting but would be unavailable when Pittsburgh hosts the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Asked if Watt could be sidelined for an extended period of time, Tomlin said he hasn’t looked beyond this week.
Watt was hospitalized Wednesday after reporting what the Steelers described as “discomfort” while being treated by the Steelers’ team medical staff.
JJ Watt, TJ’s older brother, posted on X that TJ had a dry needling session at the time.
Tomlin said he had “no idea” about the details of Watt’s dry-needling session, but added that he was in no position to “dispute something someone close to him told him.”
The Steelers have historically struggled without Watt in the lineup, especially in 2022 when they went 1-6 while he was recovering from a pectoral injury.
Nick Herbig will start in place of Watt against Miami on Sunday. Herbig played extremely well at times during his third NFL season, with his 6.5 sacks, a career best and second on the team, trailing only Watt.
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