Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope that outside linebacker T.J. Watt will miss only one game after suffering a partially collapsed lung this week at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Watt has already been ruled out of the team’s Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, but according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network on Sunday.
“The Steelers are hopeful that Watt potentially could miss only one game,” Pelissero said on The Insiders on NFL Network on Sunday morning. “He could be back next Sunday against the Lions.”
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay Morning with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: Inside Philip Rivers' comeback, as he grabbed cleats out of the trophy case; The latest on De'Von Achane and #Steelers edge TJ Watt's lung; #Eagles star Lane Johnson is returning sooner, rather than later. pic.twitter.com/da63rs7i3M
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 14, 2025
Watt underwent surgery to correct the small hole in his lung that happened after he underwent a dry needling procedure following a workout at the facility during the team’s off day on Wednesday.
He won’t play this week, with Nick Herbig instead starting at left outside linebacker in his place.
Watt will miss his first regular season game since the 2022 season, when he missed seven games with a pectoral injury. The Steelers are 1-11 in games where Watt does not play since the start of his career.
After hosting the Dolphins in Week 15, the Steelers will go on the road to face the Detroit Lions in Week 16.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Report: Steelers Believe T.J. Watt Could Return Next Week
