Pittsburgh Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt was hospitalized for medical evaluation of his lung after he experienced discomfort in his chest Wednesday. The Steelers say his status for a Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins is now in question.
Watt, 31, is a four-time First Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler who earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and was runner-up for the award in 2020 and 2023. He leads the Steelers in sacks this season with seven and has recorded 10 tackles for loss.
“His status for Monday night is really up in the air,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Thursday, via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. “What transpires this afternoon is going to provide more information for us.”
The lung discomfort for Watt reportedly came after he received treatment at the Steelers facility and he has been in touch with the NFL Players Association about the situation.
Watt’s absence Monday night would be a tough blow for a Steelers defense that is already struggling. Pittsburgh ranks No. 28 in yards allowed and gave up more than 200 rushing yards in each of its last two games. However, the Steelers are No. 6 in the NFL in sacks and have managed to force the second most turnovers. While Watt hasn’t generated his typical sack numbers in 2025, he has a team-leading three forced fumbles and one interception.
The Dolphins offense has the sixth most turnovers in the NFL, but has allowed the 18th most sacks.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Steelers’ T.J. Watt hospitalized, status vs. Dolphins ‘up in the air’
Reporting by Adam Stites, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
