Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) reacts during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

After we learned on Thursday that star Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt missed practice and was being evaluated for a lung issue at a local hospital after experiencing discomfort, Friday brought more updates on Watt, his health status, and whether or not he'll be playing this coming week – or again this season.

The good news is that Watt is now out of the hospital and expected to be fine in the long term. The bad news is that Watt had to undergo surgery on Thursday for a partially collapsed lung, which he suffered as a result of a standard dry needling treatment on Wednesday. Watt's older brother, J.J., first disclosed the information in a social media post on Friday.

"He and his family are very appreciative of everyone's kind words and well wishes," J.J. Watt wrote.

Watt is expected to make a return this season, but it was announced on Friday by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin that the ninth-year NFL veteran will miss this weekend's game against the Miami Dolphins, which will mark just the 12th game in Watt's career that he misses. Watt is fifth on the team in total tackles this season with 53, and tied for 19th in the NFL with seven sacks. He recorded six tackles in last Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The treatment that caused the injury, dry needling, is used for "pain and movement issues associated with myofascial trigger points," according to the Cleveland Clinic. It has become an increasingly common treatment in NFL locker rooms over the past decade. In 2020, then-Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor was the victim of a similar freak injury when he suffered from a punctured lung after a doctor attempted to administer injectable pain medication before a game to help with pain stemming from fractured ribs. He returned to action one month after the injury.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Update revealed on Steelers LB T.J. Watt's health, Week 15 status

Reporting by Joe Smith, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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