The Immediate Safety Concerns Raised by T.J. Watt's Complication Following a Routine Dry Needling Session
Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt has undergone successful surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung sustained during a routine dry needling procedure performed at the team's facility on Wednesday. The shocking news was confirmed by Watt’s older brother, former NFL star J.J. Watt, who posted on social media that the medical issue was a direct result of the dry needling session. The incident highlights the rare but serious risks associated with the common therapeutic technique and immediately rules the defensive leader out of Monday’s crucial game against the Miami Dolphins.
The immediate impact of the news is the significant disruption to the Steelers' (7-6) playoff push and the alarming nature of the injury's cause. T.J. Watt was rushed to a local hospital after experiencing lung discomfort following the session on Wednesday, the team's day off. He remained hospitalized until Friday morning when he was released following successful surgery to stabilize and repair the lung. The condition is known medically as a pneumothorax, which occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, pushing on the outside of the lung and causing it to collapse. Coach Mike Tomlin has ruled Watt out for the critical Monday Night Football contest, and his recovery timeline beyond this week remains to be determined.
The strategic loss of T.J. Watt is immense for the Steelers, who have historically struggled mightily without the former Defensive Player of the Year in the lineup, holding a 1-10 record in games he has missed. The team will rely on Nick Herbig to fill the void, who has shown promise this season with 6.5 sacks. However, the unexpected complication from the dry needling procedure immediately raises questions about the protocol and training of the medical staff involved. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is aware of the situation, and both they and Watt’s family are focused on his immediate health and full recovery.