What Is the Dry Needling Treatment? A Look at How T.J. Watt Was Forced Into Surgery Ahead of Week 15

The Pittsburgh Steelers are fighting for the AFC North division title and aim to return to the postseason once again. Unfortunately, the team received some unfortunate news that it will be without its star pass rusher, T.J. Watt, in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins.

Watt was ruled out on Friday after it was revealed that he has a partially collapsed lung. He is expected to play again in 2025, but he underwent surgery, and there is no set timeline for his return.

Latest on T.J. Watt’s Condition

Watt underwent surgery on a partially collapsed lung that occurred after he underwent dry needling treatment at the team facility.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Dry needling is a treatment that healthcare providers use for pain and movement issues associated with myofascial trigger points. With this technique, a provider inserts thin needles into or near your trigger points. The needles stimulate your muscles, which causes them to contract or twitch. This helps relieve pain and improve your range of motion.”

“Dry needling is a treatment many, many players do at the team facility without issue to alleviate general soreness,” said NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. “Following one treatment, TJ Watt was left in extreme pain, and doctors quickly sent him to the hospital.”

The treatment was intended to alleviate soreness for Watt and is something not uncommon for NFL players to undergo at their training facilities. Unfortunately for Watt and the Steelers, this led to the EDGE rushing phenom experiencing pain and requiring an immediate hospital visit.

Watt is an integral piece of the Steelers defense, ranking as the No. 6 edge rusher in PFSN’s edge impact metrics (EDGEi). The seven-time Pro Bowler has registered 53 tackles (22 solo, 31 assists), 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 18 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception in 2025.

“Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well, and he is being released from the hospital today,” said his brother, JJ Watt.

In Watt’s absence, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig will be required to pick up the slack for a struggling Steelers defense. Luckily for Pittsburgh, they have depth at edge rusher, with Highsmith and Herbig ranking ninth and 12th, respectively, in EDGEi.

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The Steelers’ defense ranks No. 19 in PFSN’s defense impact metrics (DEFi), despite being the league’s highest-paid unit. Mike Tomlin’s team is built on its defense, and if it is to have any hope of making a run in the postseason, he will need Highsmith, Herbig, Cameron Heyward, Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey, and the rest of his defense to step up in Watt’s absence.

Pittsburgh will hope for a speedy recovery for its four-time All-Pro edge rusher. In the meantime, the Steelers will gear up shorthanded on defense for a Monday Night Football clash with the Miami Dolphins, with significant implications for their standing in the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Stats and Insights for Week 15

Team: The Steelers are 0-5 when they have multiple turnovers and 7-1 when committing one or no turnovers.

QB: Aaron Rodgers’ 34 pass attempts against the Ravens matched the 3rd most this season. He also passed for a season-high 284 yards; his previous best this season was 249 in Week 7.

Offense: The Ravens held the Steelers to 34 rush yards in Week 14. It was the fewest rushing yards in a regular-season game by the Steelers since 2020. Baltimore held Pittsburgh to 29 rush yards in the playoffs last season.

Defense: T.J. Watt is sixth in the NFL with an EDGEi score for the season (87.6, B+). He has had a B+ or better in every season since 2019.

Fantasy: DK Metcalf is coming off his best game of the season, catching seven passes for 148 yards on 12 targets. All of those numbers were season highs. He still has just two games with 20+ fantasy points all season and has crested double-digit fantasy points in three of his last eight.