The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt had a health issue earlier this week while practicing, and now the team has shared a shocking update about him.
So far, he has played every game this season; however, this latest development leaves his status for the Week 15 game in question.
Why Was T.J. Watt Sent to the Hospital?
Watt has been consistent this season, participating in all 13 games the Steelers have played so far. He has 53 tackles and seven sacks to his name.
But earlier on Wednesday, the 31-year-old experienced some lung discomfort, and recently, Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten provided an update on Thursday in a statement:
“T.J. Watt is currently in a local hospital for further medical evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the 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. Coach Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time.”
Update on #Steelers LB T.J. Watt: pic.twitter.com/ngNBnwhBAK
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 11, 2025
Tomlin later provided an update on Watt’s situation. “He has a lung situation that’s being addressed. That’s all I know at this juncture.” Tomlin talked to Watt on Wednesday night and “he was comfortable and that’s all I know at this juncture,” wrote Gerry Dulac on X. “He said Watt’s status for the Dolphins game “is really up in the air.”
This devastating news has left fans concerned as they wait for further clarity on his health. Until more information arrives, his status for the Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins also remains a question mark.
Steelers Preparing for a Battle Against Dolphins in a Crucial Week 15 Game
The Steelers (7-6) are set to host the Dolphins (6-7) this upcoming Monday, Dec. 16, at Acrisure Stadium. This is going to be an essential matchup from a playoff perspective. Pittsburgh, coming off an impressive 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens, currently sits in a strong position, leading the AFC North.
According to PFSN’s Playoff Meter, the win in Week 14 boosted their chances significantly, and a big credit goes to Aaron Rodgers, who had arguably the best game of his Steelers tenure so far against the Ravens with 284 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown. As a result, they now have an 82.5% chance of making the playoffs and an 82.4% chance of finishing at the top of their division.
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The Dolphins, on the other hand, are almost out of the postseason race, having a negligible chance while sitting third in the AFC East. However, they are certainly looking to give their fans something to cheer about with a few wins in the final weeks and try to spoil the playoff hopes of other teams.
The Steelers have a very high chance of reaching the postseason, but while a win can further increase those odds, losses can have the opposite effect. So this game becomes a crucial one for the team, and it will be interesting to see if fans receive any positive news about Watt and whether he’ll be able to suit up on Monday or not.
