DECEMBER 12: Testing at the Steelers’ facility revealed a “tiny hole” in one of Watt’s lungs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (video link). That led to his hospitalization, and the issue has been addressed. A final determination for Week 15 has not yet been made, but Pelissero deems it unlikely that Watt – who merely needs time to recover at this point – will be available for Monday.
DECEMBER 11: Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been hospitalized due to a lung injury, per a team announcement.
The injury happened while Watt was receiving medical treatment at the Steelers’ facility on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that Watt is still in the hospital undergoing additional testing which will determine his status for their Week 15 matchup against the Dolphins.
Watt, 31, has started all 13 of the Steelers’ games this season with an 82% snap share. He is having another excellent season with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, which rank first and second on the team. He has also been credited with 43 pressures, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) which lead the Steelers and rank 19th in the NFL.
In other words, an absence from Watt would be a major blow to Pittsburgh’s defense, though they are positioned to withstand it in the short-term. The four-time All-Pro almost exclusively lines up on the left side of the defense with Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig splitting snaps on the right side. One of the two – likely Herbig – can fill some of Watt’s snaps off the left edge
Rookie Jack Sawyer will also be in line for some more opportunities. The second-round pick has appeared in every game this year but played just 182 snaps (19.4% snap share) without much production. Sawyer has primarily rotated in for Watt on the left side and should see an uptick if he cannot play. That could also result in a practice squad elevation for fourth-year defensive end DeMarvin Leal.
The Steelers will be monitoring Watt’s condition carefully over the next few days to evaluate his availability for Monday night’s game.
Why would they even be considering playing him?
Because they stupidly paid him $42M
As arguably 1 of the best edge rushers the Steelers did the right thing by paying him
You give Micah parsons $42/yr not an aging star who isn’t as good as his teammate Nick Herbig who makes league minimum.
I’d have been ok w $30M but Steelers are dumb w $
Would, obviously, be a big loss.
Not meant to be a slam, but Sawyer was a 4th rd pick, not a 2nd.
I can’t comprehend how you get a lung injury receiving medical treatment….unless he had a cracked rib that somehow punctured his lung receiving the aforementioned treatment.
Wondering the same thing. The description—“lung injury”—suggests something like a punctured lung. If it were, say, some kind of respiratory infection, that wouldn’t be described as an “injury.”
Ask Tyrod Taylor
Gotcha, good call. Was unaware of his own experience in that regard until today.
The Chargers agree.
I wonder exactly how hard you have to be hit to get a lung “Injury”? Belay that, I decided I don’t really want to know.
Tyrod Taylor says hi.
Thanks, I was unaware of that situation.
I know he has food allergies, jj has talked about him having to go to the hospital before. It could be something like that.
I think I would put up with the allergies rather than eat that food they serve at the hospital. Perhaps we could have a poll on whether hospital or airplane food is more revolting…lol.
No you wouldn’t.
Probably has food delivered in from the outside.
I think you’ve mistaken me for Mark Sanchez 🙂
Close but Airplane food is no better than WWII prison camp food.
He does Subway commercials. If you can eat that crap don’t tell me about food allergies.
Bruised lung from impact
Who knows the truth, maybe he’s been hurt most of the season he only has 6 sacks 10 tackles and 1 int. That’s not to good is it. Maybe he is having renal failure from to many injections.
I love it when people who don’t know the difference between ‘too’ and ‘to’ try to be clever…
Herbig may be the Steelers’ most efficient rusher right now. I would be quite surprised if he doesn’t line up on the left more.
Sympathy for Watt. Getting injured is already common enough being on the field.
They really do well with drafting linebackers. Whether Watt, of course, or Highsmith, Herbig, Wilson. I thought drafting Sawyer was a great move and the kid had been getting more and more snaps, especially in run situations. But oddly, only played three snaps against the Ravens
Bigger linebacker, better suited for when Henry got the ball
I dunno. Things that make you shake your head
That’s why paying Watt $42/yr was stupid. Pay him $30/yr and sign a 2nd WR or backup OT