Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher TJ Watt underwent surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung that he sustained during a dry-needling session.
The 30-year-old, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has seven sacks this season for the Steelers (7-6). Pittsburgh holds a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (6-7) for the AFC North with four weeks remaining.
After Friday practice, head coach Mike Tomlin said Watt was at home resting and would be unavailable for Sunday’s game at home against the Miami Dolphins. When asked whether Watt might be out beyond this week, Tomlin said he had not looked past the next game.
Watt was hospitalized on Wednesday after reporting what the team described as “discomfort” while being treated by Steelers medical staff at the team facility. JJ Watt, his older brother, posted on X that the issue occurred during a dry-needling session. Tomlin said he had “no idea” about the details of the session but added he was not in a position to “dispute something said by someone close to him.”
The Steelers have struggled without Watt in the past, notably in 2022 when they went 1-6 while he recovered from a pectoral injury. In his absence for Sunday’s game, Nick Herbig will start at defensive end. Herbig, in his third NFL season, has a career-best 6.5 sacks this year and ranks second on the team behind Watt.
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