The Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room turned scary after TJ Watt’s lung collapsed during routine therapy. The All-Pro pass rusher underwent emergency surgery Thursday following an unfortunate dry needling session Wednesday at the team facility. Only one simple treatment left Watt in extreme pain, and he rushed to the hospital immediately.
NFL fans erupted right after the news broke. The Steelers won’t mention who performed the procedure, and coach Mike Tomlin claims he has “no idea” about the details. That silence only put gasoline on the active outrage.
TJ Watt Suffers From Extreme Pain Following Team Facility Treatment
Watt wasn’t injured before Wednesday’s session. He visited the facility for preventative treatment — dry needling to ease general muscle soreness. The procedure targets tight spots by inserting thin needles to release knots. It’s a standard recovery method for NFL players, and three to five Steelers use it regularly.
However, Wednesday’s treatment went absolutely wrong, marking the first time it had happened. Everyone panicked and immediately transferred Watt to the hospital for emergency surgery.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported, “Dry needling is a treatment many, many players do at the team facility without issue to alleviate general soreness. Following one treatment, TJ Watt was left in extreme pain, and doctors quickly sent him to the hospital. A harrowing experience. But minor surgery & full recovery.”
Dry needling is a treatment many, many players do at the team facility without issue to alleviate general soreness. Following one treatment, TJ Watt was left in extreme pain, and doctors quickly sent him to the hospital.
A harrowing experience. But minor surgery & full recovery. https://t.co/VUXQDM13u8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2025
Big brother JJ Watt announced Friday that TJ underwent successful surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung. The recovery timeline remains murky but for now, he will miss Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins. Watt was discharged the same day and is resting at home, and he will
The NFLPA contacted Watt and his representatives immediately and the union is investigating the incident. Meanwhile, Coach Tomlin continues to dodge questions about who performed the treatment and what went wrong.
NFL Fans Destroy Steelers’ Team Facility Doctors
The fanbase isn’t accepting vague answers. Social media exploded with fury directed at the Steelers medical staff.
One fan wrote, “Please tell me the idiot that pull the needle in Watt’s lung has been fired and run out of town. What in the actual F—?”
Another added, “What’s more incompetent by the Steelers, having Russell Wilson push a blocking sled at training camp, or TJ Watt getting a dry needling treatment?”
A third noted, “It is a liability nightmare.”
A fourth demanded, “What idiots at @UPMC performed this dry needling session on TJ Watt? Fire them and sue the practice?”
A random X user remarked, “NFL medical staff just took ‘getting under the ribs’ way too literally. Steelers can’t have nice things.”
Besides fans, Steelers legend James Harrison didn’t hold back either. Teammate Patrick Queen admitted he’s actually scared of dry needling and stays away from that stuff, noting someone could get dry needled a thousand times without issue.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Steelers hope Watt could potentially return in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter said a Week 16 return would be challenging. Whatever happens, the good thing is that his lung is repaired, but fans still want the name.
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