TJ Watt Confident in Steelers' Return After Punctured Lung

Table of Contents

T.J. Watt Returns to Practice and Ready for Big Game

PITTSBURGH — T.J. Watt expressed his excitement about playing against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday after missing the past three games due to a partially collapsed lung. The Pittsburgh Steelers star shared his feelings on Friday, marking the first time he has spoken publicly since the incident on December 10 and the subsequent surgery.

"I feel pretty good," Watt said. "Honestly, don't know if I could have said that a week ago, but I feel really good. Feel really confident about the week of practice and excited to play."

Watt participated fully in practice on Friday, the first time he has done so since the injury, and does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game. He mentioned that he hasn’t yet discussed playing on a snap count for the crucial AFC North showdown.

"It's still so early," Watt said. "Like I said, I had a great week of practice. I had no limitations. Tried to simulate as much as I could with shoulder pads and stuff like that, but you can only simulate so much. So I feel really good right now. Hoping that's the case on Sunday as well."

The Incident That Led to Hospitalization

Watt described the situation that led to his hospitalization and surgery, stating he experienced "significant" pain after a dry needling treatment at the team facility.

"Didn't feel right," he said. "Shortly afterwards was in a significant amount of pain. Ended up going to the hospital and, as you guys saw, ended up needing surgery, and the recovery was just different because it was something I wasn't used to, but I'm very thankful for everybody here. ... It's been very unique, but I feel really good sitting here today."

Watt mentioned that he has used dry needling in the past and always at the team facility, calling what happened "a fluke thing, apparently." However, he added that he won't be doing any dry needling treatments anytime soon.

Navigating Recovery

The recovery process was challenging for Watt, as it was unlike anything he has experienced before.

"Anytime you spend two or three nights in the hospital, it sucks," he said. "But luckily I have a great support system here, with my wife, obviously, my family. Everybody at the team was really supportive, and I think, more than anything, it was just trying to figure out how to attack coming back.

"It's not like a knee, so it was all new feelings. It was a surgery I wasn't very familiar with, but I'm very happy to feel as good as I do right now."

Watt also emphasized that he doesn't have any hard feelings toward the team after the treatment occurred at its facility.

A Priority for the Playoffs

With his team competing for a playoff berth in the regular-season finale, Watt said returning for this game was a priority.

"Oh huge," Watt said of his motivation. "I mean, this is a huge game. Obviously, we just started the playoffs a week early, and we get to have a home game. Really excited to get back out here in front of Steeler Nation and leave it all on the field."