All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt has yet to speak publicly since his hospitalization because of lung discomfort this week. But Friday, Watt’s brother, J.J., provided an update on social media.
J.J. posted that his brother underwent surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung. TJ needed the procedure after receiving treatment from team doctors.
“Yesterday TJ had successful surgery to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung suffered Wednesday after a dry needling treatment session at the facility,” wrote J.J.
“Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today.”
Overall, it’s great news. Based on the post, it sounds like the Steelers edge rusher will be home over the weekend resting.
Questions, though, will persist about what led to Watt’s partially collapsed lung and when he will be back on the field.
T.J. Watt Has Surgery After Treatment at Steelers Facility
Reports have been mixed about why Watt suddenly needed to be hospitalized this week. On Friday morning, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Watt had “discomfort” in his chest prior to receiving his “normal treatment” at the team’s facility Wednesday.
J.J.’s tweet, though, suggested something a little different.
According to the NFL Player’s Association, dry needling is used in the league “to treat musculoskeletal and myofascial dysfunctions as well as pain modulation.” The NFL uses two common dry needling techniques, both of which require needles inserted into a player’s skin.
J.J. didn’t specifically state that one of those needles made contact with the edge rusher’s lung. But connecting the dots, that appears to be the situation.
“It sounds as if it’s similar to what happened to QB Tyrod Taylor with the Los Angeles Chargers when he suffered a punctured lung while a team doctor was administering a painkiller shot to his cracked ribs,” wrote Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark. “That injury caused Taylor to miss four weeks.
“While Watt wasn’t getting a painkiller injection, the use of needles in his treatment leading to an accidentally punctured lung is a similar circumstance.”
Because Pelissero reported Watt was having discomfort before his treatment Wednesday, some fans may want further confirmation that the Steelers medical team punctured the edge rusher’s lung.
However, because this latest update is coming from the Watt family, fans are going to assume it’s the most accurate update until T.J. himself addresses the situation.
When Will Watt Return for Steelers?
While J.J. added details on what led to his brother’s hospitalization, even J.J. didn’t have an answer on when T.J. will play again.
Pelissero and ESPN’s Adam Schefter don’t expect Watt to play Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport didn’t say anything differently for Week 15. But Rapoport doesn’t see Watt missing the rest of 2025.
“Steelers star TJ Watt is expected to play again this season following surgery on his partially collapsed lung after a dry needling treatment, sources say,” Rapoport posted on X.
“Sometimes this heals on its own. This didn’t, so surgery was necessary. A scary 24 hours. But full recovery expected.”
Watt has played in 56 consecutive regular season games. But it sounds as though he will not play in Week 15. If that’s the case, the Steelers will likely start Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig at outside linebacker.
The team also has fourth-round rookie Jack Sawyer available.
Watt has posted 53 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits this season. He also has seven sacks, seven pass defenses, three forced fumbles and one interception.
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