Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt was sent to a local hospital after experiencing lung discomfort at the team’s practice facility Wednesday, the team announced.
Watt will not practice Thursday and his status for Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins is in question. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about the injury Thursday, confirming Watt was sent to the hospital for tests.
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Tomlin added that Watt’s status for Week 15 was up in the air and that he expected more clarity depending on what tests showed Thursday.
Tomlin said he spoke with Watt on Wednesday evening, and said the pass rusher was “comfortable.” Tomlin added that Watt was not dealing with an injury coming out of Week 14’s game.
Watt reportedly sustained the injury while receiving treatment at the team’s facility and has been hospitalized since Wednesday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Tomlin was he was unaware when or how Watt’s symptoms started.
The Steelers are set to play the Dolphins on Monday night.
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Watt, 31, has appeared in all 13 of the Steelers’ games this season. He’s registered 53 tackles and seven sacks in those contests.
While Watt has battled injuries in the past, he’s been relatively healthy the past couple seasons. Prior to 2025, Watt played in 17 games in back-to-back years. He made the Pro Bowl in both seasons, earning a first team All-Pro nod in 2023 after leading the league with 19 sacks.
In July, the Steelers gave Watt a three-year, $123 million extension. The contract made Watt the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. That record has since been passed by Detroit Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Watt’s absence at team facilities comes at a difficult time. At 7-6, the Steelers lead the AFC North, but their grasp on that spot is tenuous at best. The 6-7 Baltimore Ravens sit just behind Pittsburgh in the division. If Watt misses time, the Steelers would need to find a way to hold onto their lead in the AFC North without arguably their best player.
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After taking on the Dolphins in Week 15, the Steelers will play the Lions and the Cleveland Browns to finish out the regular season.
