What happened to T.J. Watt? Steelers silent after emergency hospital visit
Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt was rushed to a hospital with a lung issue, and Pittsburgh is bracing for news that could reshape the AFC North race.
Pittsburgh Steelers superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt was rushed to a local hospital Wednesday after experiencing sudden lung discomfort at the team’s practice facility, a shocking midweek development that has sent shockwaves through both the organization and the AFC playoff picture.
T.J. Watt hospitalized with sudden lung issue
The Steelers quickly confirmed the 31-year-old’s condition but offered few details, saying only that Watt would not practice Thursday and that Mike Tomlin would “provide more updates at the appropriate time.” For now, the team is bracing for uncertainty.
Steelers OLB TJ Watt is at the hospital undergoing medical evaluation of his lung.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2025
A statement from the team: pic.twitter.com/OQ8c5cJDni
What makes the situation even more concerning is the timing. The Steelers sit at 7–6 with an extremely thin lead in the AFC North, and Monday night’s meeting with the Miami Dolphins is weighing on them. With the Baltimore Ravens just one game back and the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns closing the season, Pittsburgh suddenly finds itself staring at the possibility of a playoff push without the most dominant defender in franchise history.
Watt has been the stabilizing force of the Steelers’ defense in 2025, playing all 13 games and posting 53 tackles and seven sacks. While that production is below his typical elite numbers, his presence alone changes how opposing offenses operate, and how Pittsburgh’s defense functions at every level.
The team invested heavily in Watt’s longevity this past summer, handing him a record-smashing three-year, $123 million extension to keep him in Pittsburgh through 2028. That deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time, reaffirming just how central he is to the Steelers’ identity.
Tomlin issues first statement
Hours after the initial new broke, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this about Watt’s mystery issue:
“I’m a little bit cautious about what I say because I’m not a medical expert, 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 doctors and they’re going through some procedures. He stayed overnight in the hospital. He has a lung situation that’s being addressed. He and I communicated last night. He was comfortable and that’s all I have really at this point. 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.”
The nature of lung-related issues varies dramatically, from minor inflammation to far more serious conditions, something the Steelers are undoubtedly evaluating with caution. Watt has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but he has been remarkably durable in recent seasons, making this sudden health scare all the more alarming.
With three pivotal games remaining and the entire division still up for grabs, Watt’s availability may determine whether Pittsburgh hangs onto its AFC North lead or tumbles into the crowded wild-card chase.
Until Mike Tomlin steps to the podium, we are left to wonder just how serious is T.J. Watt’s condition, and how long will the Steelers be without their heartbeat on defense.
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