T.J. Watt has surgery for partially collapsed lung after dry needling session

Pittsburgh Steelers prima walk rusher T.J. Watt had palmy country Thursday to repair a partially collapsed lung aft suffering the wounded pursuing a adust needling league astatine the team’s signifier facility, his member J.J. Watt said connected societal media.

“He and his household are precise appreciative of everyone's benignant words and good wishes,” J.J. Watt wrote.

Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Watt returned location aft the process and was “resting comfortably.” Tomlin said Watt volition not play successful Monday night’s crippled against the Miami Dolphins, leaving Pittsburgh to reshuffle 1 of the league’s astir important antiaircraft roles connected abbreviated notice.

What happened and what is known truthful far

Watt was hospitalized Wednesday aft receiving attraction astatine the installation connected the Steelers’ time off. He remained successful the infirmary Thursday for imaging and tests earlier undergoing surgery. Tomlin said helium did not person further details astir what caused the lung wounded oregon who performed the attraction astatine the squad facility.

The NFL Players Association said it is alert of the concern and is successful interaction with Watt and his representatives.

“Our main contiguous precedence is supporting T.J.'s wellness and afloat recovery,” an NFLPA spokesperson said.

Dry needling is often utilized by athletes, but it tin rise questions due to the fact that it involves inserting bladed needles into musculus tissue. The Cleveland Clinic describes it arsenic a attraction for “pain and question issues associated with myofascial trigger points,” wherever providers spot needles “into oregon adjacent your trigger points to stimulate muscles, which causes them to declaration oregon twitch and helps to relieve symptom and amended scope of motion.”

Steelers hole without their antiaircraft anchor

With Watt out, the Steelers program to trust connected Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer. Herbig said Watt’s power goes beyond production.

“I deliberation T.J.'s done a large occupation of being a leader, not conscionable successful the country but successful the full building, the organization,” helium said. “I deliberation helium rubs disconnected connected a batch of radical successful the close way, and I'm not disquieted astatine each due to the fact that we person large guys, large leaders that'll prime up that slack.”

Inside linebacker Patrick Queen said helium avoids adust needling and prefers acupuncture. “I don't bash the full adust needle thing. I'm really frightened of adust needling,” Queen said, adding, “It is unfortunate… it conscionable astir apt a fractional an inch successful the incorrect direction.”

Watt, a four-time All-Pro and erstwhile Defensive Player of the Year, has 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 18 backmost hits successful 13 games.