T.J. Watt injury update: Mike Tomlin shares latest on Steelers OLB after hospitalization

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt underwent surgery this past Thursday to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung. Watt underwent surgery after being hospitalized the day prior.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed Watt’s health on Tuesday. Tomlin admitted he didn’t have much “new news” to provide.

“I got no new news on T.J.,” Tomlin said, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I’m sure I will a little later in the week, but I hadn’t heard any new updates regarding his availability or what that looks like as he starts to work his way back to us this week. And so no real news there.”

Watt did not play in Monday’s 28-15 Week 15 home win over the Miami Dolphins. At 8-6 and in first place in the AFC North, Pittsburgh travels to play the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Watt would appear unlikely to play against Detroit. At the time of speaking, Tomlin wasn’t even sure if Watt had returned to the facility.

“I don’t know if he’s been in the facility yet, because I’ve been in the dark room in the back,” Tomlin said. “He might be in the facility as we speak, and so I don’t have a lot of the answers to that, and I was just trying to be transparent when I said I didn’t have any new information as I stood here today.”

Steelers, for now, have to plan to be without T.J. Watt

Watt, 31, is a nine-year NFL pro and has played in 13 games this season, tallying 53 total tackles, seven sacks and an interception. He recently dealt with a nagging toe injury but hadn’t missed any significant time this season.

Watt in 2024 recorded 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 17 regular season games. He was named to a seventh consecutive Pro Bowl and the All-Pro Second Team for the second time in his career. Watt has been with the Steelers his entire career, which spans nine seasons, including 2025. He recently signed a three-year, $123 million contract that included $108 million fully guaranteed upon signing.