Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been hospitalized for medical evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Watt will not practice on Thursday, and his status for Monday's Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins is in question, according to a statement released by Steelers director of communications Burt Lauten before practice on Thursday.
Watt has played in every game for the Steelers this season, and has played in 82% of the team's defensive snaps. He played a season-high 70 snaps in last Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens .
If Watt is unable to play against the Dolphins, third-year backup Nick Herbig would step in to start at left outside linebacker. Herbig has started four games in place of Alex Highsmith at the team's other outside linebacker spot this season. Rookie Jack Sawyer and practice squad member DeMarvin Leal are also capable of providing depth.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Watt, 31, has been one of football's most dominant defensive players since joining the Steelers out of Wisconsin in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He's been a six-time All-Pro, a seven-time Pro Bowler and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021.
This offseason, Watt signed a three-year, $123 million contract extension that is slated to keep him in Pittsburgh through the end of the 2028 season.
In 12 games this season, Watt has 28 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, one fumble recover and one interception.
Watt is the second Steelers player to be unexpectedly hospitalized this week. DK Metcalf spent the night in a Baltimore-area hospital on Sunday after complaining of stomach pains while boarding the team's flight home after the win over the Ravens. Metcalf returned to Pittsburgh on Monday and is expected to be able to play against the Dolphins this week.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Star Linebacker T.J. Watt Hospitalized
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