The Pittsburgh Steelers may be without linebacker T.J. Watt in a crucial Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football.”
The Steelers announced Thursday that Watt, tied for fifth in the league in forced fumbles (three), has been hospitalized because of a lung issue. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the injury occurred Wednesday when the LB was receiving treatment at the team facility.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin discusses T.J. Watt’s status
“He will not be at practice on Thursday, and his status for Monday night’s game against Miami is in question,” the Steelers said in a statement on Thursday (h/t Field Level Media). “Coach Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time.”
After the announcement, Tomlin reiterated Watt’s status for Monday’s game remains uncertain. The coach added he has since communicated with the LB, who says he’s feeling comfortable, but he doesn’t know much more about the lung injury.
“I’m a little bit cautious about what I say, because I am not a medical expert,” the coach said, via Teresa Varley of the team website. “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.”
Tomlin added he will provide more information after Watt undergoes more testing. He also clarified that he didn’t know about the LB’s injury until he heard about it in the team’s cafeteria.
How T.J. Watt’s injury impacts Steelers in Week 15
The Steelers (7-6) must keep stacking wins to capture the AFC North and secure a postseason berth. If Pittsburgh beats Miami (6-7), its postseason odds increase from 70 to 77%, via The Athletic.
The Dolphins, however, are on a roll after winning four straight games. During this streak, Miami has averaged an above-average 25.3 points per game (via StatMuse).
The Steelers defense has floundered throughout the season, ranking 19th in the league in points allowed (23.9). If Watt doesn’t play in Week 15, stopping the surging Dolphins will only become more challenging for the struggling unit.