Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was hospitalized on Wednesday after an injury to a lung during treatment at the team’s practice facility. Head coach Mike Tomlin updated Watt’s status after he missed Thursday practice, and said that he is “comfortable” but his status as far as this week’s game remains unknown.
“I’m a little bit cautious about what I say, because I am not a medical expert,” Tomlin said. “But to make a long story short, he was experiencing some discomfort when he was at the facility yesterday. So, we took him to the docs and they’re going through some procedures. He stayed overnight in the hospital.
“He has a lung situation that’s being addressed. I think he has some testing and so forth ahead of him this afternoon, and that’s all I know at this juncture. He and I communicated last night, he was comfortable. …
“His status for Monday night is really up in the air. I think what transpires this afternoon is going to provide more information for us. I just don’t have a lot as I stand here today.”
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has been in communication with Watt.
“I think he’s doing all right,” Highsmith said after Thursday’s practice. “We’ve been checking on him. He’s doing all right, and he’s getting better.”
Lung injuries are relatively rare in the NFL. Carolina Panthers rookie Nic Scourton suffered a collapsed lung at practice during training camp this summer. Probably the most well-known lung injury in recent memory was in 2020, when the lung of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor was inadvertently punctured by a member of the team’s medical staff while attempting to administer a painkilling shot.
“It’s definitely scary,” Highsmith said. “We all want him to know we’re praying for him.”
Nick Herbig would start in place of Watt if the All-Pro can’t go on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. Rookie Jack Sawyer will serve as the No. 3 OLB.
Highsmith has full confidence in himself and the rest of the OLBs if Watt is out. The Steelers are 1-11 all-time when Watt doesn’t play.
“When those guys come in, they play like starters,” Highsmith said. “When I was hurt, they came in and balled. I think having that depth in our group is so awesome, having those guys come in and perform like they always do.”
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is wishing for a fast recovery for Watt. It would not shock him if Watt’s on the field Monday night against Miami.
“I haven’t talked to T.J., but I would never bet against anybody in the Watt family of being able to deal with something small or large and getting back on the field as quickly as possible,” Rodgers said.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Teammates React to T.J. Watt’s Injury: ‘Praying for Him’
