TJ Watt Makes His Feelings Known About Steelers' Dry Needling Mistake

The Pittsburgh Steelers were hit with some nightmare news when it was revealed superstar pass rusher TJ Watt had suffered a collapsed lung. As more details emerged, it quickly became clear that Watt sustained the injury during a routine dry needling treatment, an outcome that stunned both the team and fans given the timing and severity of the situation. Initially, information surrounding the incident was murky, leaving many to question where the treatment took place, how it went wrong, and whether the injury could have been prevented.

Dry needling, while commonly used across professional sports, does carry inherent risks, and that reality sparked widespread debate about accountability and potential legal implications. At the same time, much of the focus shifted to Watt himself, with speculation swirling about how he felt after being sent to the hospital in the middle of the season due to what was described as a mistake during treatment. With the Steelers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Watt’s status for the Week 18 win or go home regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens remained uncertain, only adding to the tension surrounding the situation.

As the week progressed, optimism began to grow on multiple fronts. Baltimore is expected to get star quarterback Lamar Jackson back, but the Steelers may be receiving a massive boost of their own. Watt is expected to play in this must-win game. According to Steelers insider Brooke Pryor, Watt does not have any ill feelings toward the organization following the incident, easing concerns about internal fallout.

"Watt says he doesn't have any hard feelings toward the organization after the dry needling accident happened at the team facility," Pryor said on Friday to her social media following.

Even more importantly, signs point toward Watt being available, or at least trending in the right direction, for the season defining matchup, which would be a massive development for a Steelers team that relies heavily on his presence to survive and advance. 

It sounds like both Watt and Jackson are expected to play in this critical, must-win game. 

The winner will take home the AFC North crown and punch their ticket to the playoffs, while the loser will be sent home with their season coming to an end. With so much on the line, the presence of both superstars dramatically raises the stakes and intensity of an already heated rivalry.

Steelers Get Star Pass Rusher TJ Watt Back For Regular Season Finale

Watt has missed three straight games while recovering from his collapsed lung, and his absence was costly at this crucial point in the season. The Steelers’ defense clearly felt the impact without its leader and emotional spark, particularly in moments where a game changing play was needed to swing momentum. The Steelers in the past have struggled big time without Watt. This time around they were much better prepared to be without Watt as they went 2-1 in the three games he missed.

Pittsburgh had a prime opportunity to wrap up the division in Week 17 but fell 13-6 to the Cleveland Browns in a frustrating loss. Many pundits believe that with a healthy Watt on the field, that contest would have ended differently and likely resulted in a win for the Steelers. Now, with Watt set to return, Pittsburgh gets one final chance to finish the job, reclaim the division, and keep its season alive when it matters most.

What do you expect the outcome of the Week 18 contest between the Ravens and the Steelers to be? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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