The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding their breath - and not just because their playoff hopes are hanging in the balance. Star pass rusher T.J.
Watt is officially out for Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins after suffering a partially collapsed lung earlier this week. The good news?
There’s optimism inside the building that this could be a short-term setback.
Watt’s injury occurred during a dry needling procedure following a workout on the team’s off day Wednesday. The treatment, commonly used to relieve muscle pain and tightness, led to a small hole in his lung, requiring a minor surgical procedure to correct it. While that sounds serious - and it is - the Steelers are hopeful that Watt could be back as soon as next week when they travel to face the Detroit Lions in Week 16.
For now, the Steelers will have to navigate a critical AFC matchup without the heart of their defense. Rookie Nick Herbig is set to start in Watt’s place at left outside linebacker - a tall task, no doubt, but Herbig has shown flashes of promise in limited action this season. Still, replacing Watt is never a one-man job.
Watt hasn’t missed a regular season game since 2022, when a pectoral injury sidelined him for seven contests. The Steelers went 1-6 in that stretch, and the broader picture isn’t much better: they’re 1-11 in games Watt hasn’t played since he entered the league. That’s not just a stat - it’s a stark reminder of how central he is to everything Pittsburgh does defensively.
His absence couldn’t come at a more pivotal time. The Dolphins bring one of the league’s most explosive offenses into Acrisure Stadium, and without Watt wreaking havoc off the edge, the Steelers will need to get creative to generate pressure. Alex Highsmith, Cam Heyward, and the rest of the front seven will have to step up in a big way - not just to disrupt Miami’s timing, but to help a secondary that’s been tested all season.
Looking ahead, the Steelers’ playoff hopes are still very much alive, but the margin for error is razor thin. Getting Watt back for the Week 16 road trip to Detroit would be a massive boost - both emotionally and strategically - as they look to finish the season strong.
For now, though, all eyes will be on how this defense responds without its leader. Because if history is any indication, life without T.J. Watt isn’t just harder - it’s a different ballgame entirely.