TJ Watt injury update: Steelers OLB returns to practice in limited capacity

TJ Watt was limited in his return to Pittsburgh Steelers practice on Wednesday, per Pro Football Talk. Watt had suffered a collapsed lung and needed a dry needling session earlier this month, missing two games.

However, a return to practice is a good sign for the team and Steelers’ fans. Watt could very well see the field again soon as Pittsburgh is on the verge of locking up the AFC North.

There’s no question Watt is a valuable player and has been virtually his entire career with the Steelers. This season (13 games), Watt has 53 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven pass deflections, one interception, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

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.

Watt did not play in 28-15 Week 15 home win over the Miami Dolphins, nor did he play against the Detroit Lions. At 9-6 and in first place in the AFC North, Pittsburgh needs a win in one of their final two games to clinch the AFC North. At the time of speaking, head coach Mike 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 last week. “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.”

Watt’s brother, famed NFL defender J.J. Watt, provided an update with some new information a as of earlier this month: “Yesterday TJ had successful surgery to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung suffered Wednesday after a dry needling treatment session at the facility,” the retired former NFL star posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today. He and his family are very appreciative of everyone’s kind words and well wishes.”