Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt had successful surgery Thursday to repair a partially collapsed lung suffered during a dry needling treatment session at the team facility on Wednesday. He has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins and is expected to return later this season. Watt is home resting comfortably after being released from the hospital Friday.
Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, experienced discomfort following a dry needling treatment at the team facility on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. The 31-year-old was transported to a Pittsburgh-area hospital for evaluation and remained overnight. He underwent surgery Thursday to stabilize and repair the partially collapsed lung, as announced by his brother, former NFL player J.J. Watt on social media.
"Yesterday TJ had successful surgery to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung suffered Wednesday after a dry needling treatment session at the facility," J.J. Watt posted. "Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today. He and his family are very appreciative of everyone's kind words and well wishes."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Friday that Watt is out for the Week 15 matchup against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football and is resting at home. "He had a procedure yesterday and is home resting comfortably," Tomlin said. The coach added that he is taking it week by week and does not yet know if the injury will sideline Watt beyond this game.
This marks the first regular-season game Watt will miss this season. In 13 games, he has tallied 53 tackles (10 for loss), 7.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. The Steelers, currently 7-6, hold a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
With Watt sidelined, Nick Herbig is expected to start opposite Alex Highsmith at outside linebacker. Herbig has recorded 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception this season. Rookie Jack Sawyer will serve as the primary backup.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Watt is expected to play again this season following a full recovery, though the exact timeline remains undetermined. The injury is compared to a similar incident involving Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor in 2020, who missed about a month after a punctured lung during treatment.
