The Pittsburgh Steelers are bracing for a critical stretch of their 2025 NFL campaign without their defensive linchpin, T.J. Watt, following a sudden and alarming health scare that has sent ripples through the franchise and its loyal fan base. The star edge rusher, widely regarded as one of the league's premier defensive threats, suffered a partially collapsed lung at the Steelers facility on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, after undergoing a dry needling session—a common but not risk-free treatment in the world of professional sports.
Watt's injury, which required immediate surgical intervention on Thursday, December 11, 2025, has thrust the Steelers' defense into uncharted territory just as the team prepares for a pivotal Monday Night Football clash against the Miami Dolphins. According to The Sporting News, the mishap occurred during a routine dry needling procedure, a technique that involves the insertion of a solid needle into muscle tissue with the aim of alleviating pain and improving movement. While typically considered safe and often used for muscle strains and tendinitis, this time the procedure led to a much more serious complication.
"Dry needling is a skilled intervention where the provider uses a thin needle to penetrate the skin with the goal of alleviating pain and improving movement," ESPN explained, highlighting that unlike 'wet' needling, no substances are injected during the process. However, the exact reason for Watt's treatment remains unclear, and the Steelers have yet to provide further details on what prompted the session that ultimately sidelined their star defender.
News of Watt's collapsed lung quickly spread through NFL circles, with his older brother and former NFL superstar, J.J. Watt, taking to social media to update fans and express the family's gratitude. "He and his family are very appreciative of everyone's kind words and well wishes," J.J. Watt shared, confirming that T.J. underwent surgery to repair and stabilize the lung and was expected to be released from the hospital on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Despite the frightening nature of the injury, optimism remains regarding Watt's outlook for the remainder of the season. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac reported, "The injury to outside linebacker T.J. Watt isn’t as serious as it sounds and he is expected to return before the end of the season, maybe even sooner than anticipated, multiple sources have told the Post-Gazette." Dulac further explained that while a collapsed lung can be a significant medical event, in some cases—depending on the cause and severity—recovery can be relatively swift, especially for elite athletes with access to top-tier medical care.
For Steelers fans, the news is bittersweet. Watt has been a force of nature this season, leading the team with 18 quarterback hits and 7.0 sacks, anchoring a defense that has kept Pittsburgh in the thick of the playoff hunt. His absence on Monday night against the Dolphins marks his first missed game since 2022, when he was sidelined by a torn pectoral muscle. It's a streak any player would be proud of, and a testament to Watt's toughness and dedication to the game.
As speculation swirls around his potential return, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the timeline. ESPN's Adam Schefter poured some cold water on the idea of a quick comeback, stating, "He's not gonna play Monday night against the Dolphins. We'll see if he's able to come back in the next week. That's gonna be challenging too." On the other hand, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero struck a more hopeful tone, suggesting, "The turnaround was just too quick for Watt to play this week. He needed to rest but the Steelers are hopeful that Watt potentially could miss only one game. He could be back next Sunday against the Lions."
With the Steelers set to face the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 16, all eyes will be on the team's injury report and Watt's progress in the coming days. The Steelers, who have three regular season games remaining after Monday night's showdown with Miami, are in the thick of the AFC playoff race, making Watt's presence all the more critical for their postseason aspirations. The team has not issued any official statement regarding his precise recovery timeline, but the consensus among league insiders is that, barring any setbacks, Watt should return before the end of the regular season.
Dry needling, the procedure at the heart of this incident, has gained popularity in recent years among athletes seeking to expedite recovery from nagging injuries. As Dulac noted, "Dry needling is a procedure used by players to expedite the healing process in a specified area. The procedure is similar to why players use a hyperbaric chamber and other non-traditional procedures to heal faster and return to play quicker." While most athletes undergo the treatment without incident, Watt's case is a stark reminder that even routine interventions carry risks.
In fact, the NFL has seen similar scares before. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2020 case of Tyrod Taylor, then with the Los Angeles Chargers, who suffered a punctured lung during a pregame medical procedure. Taylor's ordeal led to a high-profile lawsuit and raised questions about the protocols and risks associated with medical treatments in professional sports.
For now, the Steelers must rally in Watt's absence. His leadership and disruptive presence on the field will be sorely missed, but the team is no stranger to adversity. With a defense built on depth and resilience, Pittsburgh will look to fill the void with a next-man-up mentality, even as they eagerly await the return of their defensive star.
Watt's teammates, coaches, and fans alike are rooting for his swift and complete recovery. As J.J. Watt so aptly put it, the outpouring of support from across the league and beyond has been a source of strength for the entire Watt family during this challenging time.
As the Steelers prepare for a crucial Monday night test against Miami, the focus remains on football—but the shadow of Watt's absence looms large. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Steelers can weather the storm and keep their playoff hopes alive until their defensive anchor is back in action. One thing is certain: the countdown to T.J. Watt's return has already begun, and the entire city of Pittsburgh will be watching every update with bated breath.
