Tag: T.J. Watt

T.J. Watt ‘thankful,’ feels good after recovering from collapsed lung

Posted on | by Field Level Media

T.J. Watt feels ready to return to game action, and the star edge rusher’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Watt will play Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL regular-season finale in Pittsburgh, which will decide the AFC North. The Steelers will make the playoffs with a win or tie but will stay home if they lose to their rivals.

Watt, 31, suffered a partially collapsed lung from a “dry needling” accident in December and missed the past three games. He resumed practice on Dec. 24 but on Friday he was a full practice participant for the first time since the incident.

He also made his first comments to the media since his hospitalization.

“Didn’t feel right,” Watt recounted of the dry needling treatment, intended to stimulate muscle recovery. “Shortly afterwards was in a significant amount of pain. Ended up going to the hospital and, as you guys saw, ended up needing surgery, and the recovery was just different because it was something I wasn’t used to, but I’m very thankful for everybody here. … It’s been very unique, but I feel really good sitting here today.”

He reiterated throughout his interview that he felt “pretty good” and “really good,” adding that he didn’t know if he could say the same one week ago.

Rehab from a collapsed lung was a new experience for the nine-year Steelers veteran.

“It’s not like a knee, so it was all new feelings. It was a surgery I wasn’t very familiar with, but I’m very happy to feel as good as I do right now.”

Watt said he and head coach Mike Tomlin haven’t discussed keeping him on a snap count against Baltimore.

“It’s still so early,” Watt said. “Like I said, I had a great week of practice. I had no limitations. Tried to simulate as much as I could with shoulder pads and stuff like that, but you can only simulate so much. So I feel really good right now. Hoping that’s the case on Sunday as well.”

Watt’s last appearance came in Pittsburgh’s first encounter with Baltimore on Dec. 7. He had six tackles in a 27-22 road win, but the Steelers failed to lock up the division while Watt was sidelined, falling 13-6 to Cleveland last week.

The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year and four-time, first-team All-Pro has 115 sacks, 36 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries and eight interceptions in his 134-game career. In 13 games before his injury, Watt amassed 53 tackles, seven sacks, 18 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

–Field Level Media

Report: T.J. Watt will return for Steelers’ next meaningful game after Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt is set to miss his third straight game Sunday vs. Cleveland while recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung.

However, he’s set to return for the team’s next meaningful game, according to an NFL Network report.

According to the report, the Steelers expect Watt to be available for their Week 18 game vs. Baltimore if Pittsburgh doesn’t clinch the AFC South this weekend. If Pittsburgh (9-6) clinches with either a win Sunday or a Baltimore loss vs. Green Bay Saturday night, Watt’s return would come in the Steelers’ home playoff game in the wild-card round.

Watt, 31, has missed the last two games after sustaining the partially collapsed lung while undergoing a dry needling treatment that was intended to stimulate muscle recovery. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Pro has seven sacks this season, raising his career total to 115 in 134 games. He is 36th on the NFL’s all-time sack list and a half-sack ahead of his brother J.J. Watt.

While Watt will be out again, Pittsburgh is set to get a different linebacker, Nick Herbig, back this week against the Browns (3-12) after he missed the last game with a hamstring injury.

–Field Level Media

Steelers LBs T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig practice again Friday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt participated in practice all week, leaving the decision of whether to play him Sunday at Cleveland in the hands of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Watt and Nick Herbig were on the field Friday for the third consecutive day.

But Watt was not made available for his usual Friday media session, a possible indication he’s not fully cleared to play this week.

Watt, 31, hasn’t played in the past two games after sustaining a partially collapsed lung while undergoing a dry needling treatment on Dec. 10 that was intended to stimulate muscle recovery. He had surgery the following day to stabilize and repair the lung.

He has seven sacks in 13 games in 2025.

With Watt out and Herbig fighting a hamstring injury, Tomlin said the team trusts Jack Sawyer will be ready to go if needed after he stepped up the past two weeks.

“Love the work that Jack gave us,” Tomlin said. “Certainly, love the work that Alex Highsmith gave us, although we anticipated it from him. But (Jeremiah) Moon as well. Schematically and strategically, you don’t replace T.J. and Herbig. We understood that.”

If the Steelers clinch a playoff berth on Saturday night by virtue of the Green Bay Packers beating the Baltimore Ravens, Watt and several others could be held out Sunday afternoon at Cleveland.

If the Ravens win at Green Bay, the Week 18 finale between AFC North rivals in Pittsburgh decides the division.

Tomlin said the questions with Watt are not football-related but “medical” in nature, limiting his insight on the matter. From a strictly football standpoint, Tomlin said Watt appears to be fully healed.

–Field Level Media

Steelers LB T.J. Watt (lung) practices for first time since procedure

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt practiced on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing a procedure to fix a collapsed lung he sustained at the team’s facility Dec. 10.

The standout edge rusher went through some aspects of the team’s Wednesday practice, although ESPN reported that he was doing extra cardio activities instead of group work engaging with tackling dummies.

Watt’s improved status comes a day after Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said he was “hopeful” that the defensive mainstay would be able to ramp up activities this week. Tomlin has been less willing to share a potential timeline for Watt’s return to games and if it could happen as early as Sunday at Cleveland.

Watt, 31, has missed the last two games after sustaining the partially collapsed lung while undergoing a dry needling treatment that was intended to stimulate muscle recovery. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Pro has seven sacks this season, raising his career total to 115. He is 36 on the NFL’s all-time sack list and a half-sack ahead of his brother J.J. Watt.

The Steelers (9-6) have gone 2-0 without Watt and have a two-game lead in the AFC North with two games to play. One more win or one more Baltimore loss would clinch their first division title since 2020-21.

Fellow Pittsburgh linebacker Nick Herbig, who missed last week’s game vs. Detroit with a hamstring injury, also returned to practice on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Steelers’ T.J. Watt has surgery for collapsed lung

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt is recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung, his brother J.J. Watt posted Friday on social media.

According to J.J. Watt, the Steelers’ star linebacker sustained the injury during a dry needling session Wednesday at the team’s practice facility.

“Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today,” J.J. Watt wrote on X. “He and his family are very appreciative of everyone’s kind words and well wishes.”

The team confirmed that the three-time NFL sacks leader had to be hospitalized on Wednesday. He underwent the surgical procedure on Thursday.

Dry needling is a procedure used to increase blood flow and raise oxygen levels in overused and sore muscles.

Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Thursday that Watt’s availability for Monday night’s game between the AFC North-leading Steelers (7-6) and visiting Miami Dolphins (6-7) will be determined later.

Signed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed in July, Watt has recorded seven sacks and 53 tackles in 13 games (all starts) this season. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has not missed a game since the 2022 season.

Watt, 31, has 115 career sacks in 134 games (all starts) since being selected by Pittsburgh with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982) held by Michael Strahan.

–Field Level Media

Steelers star LB T.J. Watt hospitalized with lung issue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt is undergoing medical evaluation of a lung at a local hospital after experiencing discomfort at the team’s practice facility on Wednesday.

“He will not be at practice on Thursday, and his status for Monday night’s game vs. Miami is in question,” the Steelers said in a statement on Thursday. “Coach (Mike) Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time.”

The Steelers (7-6) did not divulge the severity of the lung issue.

Signed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed in July, Watt has recorded seven sacks and 53 tackles in 13 games (all starts) this season. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has not missed a game since the 2022 season.

Watt, 31, has 115 career sacks in 134 games (all starts) since being selected by Pittsburgh with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982) held by Michael Strahan and has been a first-team All-Pro four times.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Steelers, T.J. Watt agree to record 3-year, $123M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Star linebacker T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.

The $41 million per year average will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, topping the $40 million average that Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett agreed to earlier this offseason.

Thursday’s news will put a bow on contract talks that spanned several months.

Watt, 30, initially caused a stir over social media in April by posting a picture in which he flashed two fingers. That left plenty open to interpretation about his future with the Steelers, with many questioning if he essentially was saying “peace out” to the team that selected him with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft?

Watt, is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million extension he signed in 2021. He will receive $21.05 million in 2025.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Watt recorded 11.5 sacks last season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career. He also registered an NFL-best six forced fumbles in 17 games.

Watt has 108 career sacks in 121 games (all starts) with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) warms up for a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Teams reportedly expect Steelers to listen to T.J. Watt offers after Ramsey deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Is Steelers All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt available to trade suitors?

That’s the question multiple teams in the NFL are asking Monday, according to ESPN, after Pittsburgh pulled off a trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Watt, 30, has 108 career sacks as he enters the final year of a four-year, $112 million contract he signed in 2021. That contract averages $28 million per year, far less than the going rate for premium pass rushers.

Division rival Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns reset the market in March with a $123.5 million guarantee on a contract he signed following a trade demand. His annual average salary of $40 million is the highest in the NFL for non-quarterbacks.

When Watt skipped mandatory minicamp this month and voluntary offseason team activities in the spring, he did not indicate whether he wants to hit the top of the market or surpass Garrett’s compensation package.

The Steelers are not expected to shop Watt.

But ESPN reported teams are more likely to check in with Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan following the acquisition of Ramsey because the Steelers picked up $19.6 million of his $26.6 million salary for 2025.

Watt is a four-time All-Pro and has spent his eight-year career with the Steelers since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2017.

He has six seasons with at least 11.5 sacks — his total last season — and has forced 33 fumbles in his career. That’s the most in the NFL over the last eight years, eight more than the Los Angeles Chargers’ Khalil Mack. Garrett shares third with 20.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to pass while being pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Report: Steelers expect new T.J. Watt deal by start of season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers are confident that discussions with All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt will result in a new contract before the start of the season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Monday.

The newspaper added that a deal may not be completed anytime soon.

Watt, 30, is looking for a revision to his deal as he enters the final season of a five-year, $112 million contract that features a guaranteed $80 million.

Per the Post-Gazette, the price tag for Watt might have risen when Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett landed the NFL’s richest contract for a defensive player in March: four years, $160 million, $123.5 million guaranteed.

Watt was selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past seven years, and he made first-time All-Pro in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. He was the NFL’s 2021 Defensive Player of the Year after making a career-high 22.5 sacks.

In 2024, Watt led the NFL with six forced fumbles while logging 11.5 sacks, 61 tackles, four passes defended and two fumble recoveries in 17 games.

Over his eight-year NFL career, all with the Steelers, Watt has 108 sacks, 462 tackles, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 49 passes defensed and seven interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

T.J. Watt’s cryptic post invites questions about future with Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt caused a stir over social media by posting a picture in which he flashed two fingers and left plenty open to interpretation about his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The since-deleted post on Instagram included no text or explanation. Does it mean he’s at peace with the Steelers, or is he essentially saying “peace out” to the team that selected him with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft?

Taken a step further, is Watt channeling his inner Myles Garrett? You know, the defensive end who demanded a trade from Cleveland only to sign a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns.

Watt, 30, is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million extension he signed in 2021. He will receive $21.05 million in 2025.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Watt recorded 11.5 sacks last season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career. He also registered an NFL-best six forced fumbles in 17 games.

Watt has 108 career sacks in 121 games (all starts) with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).

–Field Level Media