Lead: Myles Garrett said Friday that he reached out to Steelers pass-rush standout T.J. Watt after reports that Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung following a dry-needling treatment at the Steelers facility. The update, posted on X by Watt’s brother J.J. Watt on Dec. 12, 2025, said T.J. underwent surgery and had been discharged from the hospital but was ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins. Garrett, speaking at the Browns’ Berea facility, described Watt as a rival on the field but not an enemy off it, and offered his hopes for a full recovery. The incident has immediate roster implications for the Steelers and broader ripple effects in the AFC North race.
Key Takeaways
- J.J. Watt posted on X on Dec. 12, 2025, that his brother T.J. suffered a partially collapsed lung after a dry-needling session and underwent surgery; he was discharged from the hospital afterward.
- T.J. Watt has been officially ruled out for the Steelers’ Monday night game vs. the Miami Dolphins (Dec. 15, 2025), per the team’s announcements.
- Myles Garrett confirmed he reached out to Watt during his weekly availability in Berea, Ohio, and offered public wishes for the Watt family’s wellbeing.
- Watt leads the Steelers with seven sacks this season and is tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles; his absence removes a key veteran presence from a 7-6 Steelers squad competing atop the AFC North.
- Garrett is three sacks away from the NFL single-season sack record of 22.5, a mark shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021); Garrett’s pursuit now carries added narrative weight.
- The Steelers and Browns meet again in Cleveland on Week 17, Dec. 28, 2025, creating high stakes for both teams as the division race tightens.
Background
The Garrett–Watt matchup has become one of the NFL’s marquee individual rivalries over recent seasons. Garrett, the Browns’ defensive end and a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and T.J. Watt, the Steelers star and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, have exchanged top-level performances that have helped shape AFC North outcomes. Their on-field clashes have often drawn headlines, and intermittent off-field barbs or social-media commentary have amplified the rivalry in public view.
Medical procedures for athletes — including therapies like dry needling, injections and other interventions — are common in NFL facilities, intended to expedite recovery or manage chronic issues. When complications occur, they can affect both short-term availability and a team’s season trajectory. The Steelers, at 7-6 and a game ahead of the Ravens in the division, now face an immediate personnel test with Watt sidelined, while the Browns must weigh both competitive concerns and the more human dimension of wishing a rival well.
Main Event
On Friday, Garrett said he had attempted to reach Watt after word of the injury circulated. He told reporters in Berea he did not have Watt’s direct phone number but had made an effort through available channels. Garrett emphasized that, despite the rivalry, he regards Watt and his family with respect and said he was praying for their wellbeing after J.J. Watt’s post revealed the diagnosis.
J.J. Watt’s message on X — which first disclosed that the issue followed a dry-needling treatment at the Steelers’ facility — said the procedure preceded a partially collapsed lung and subsequent surgery. The post did not provide a detailed medical timeline; the Steelers later confirmed Watt would not play Monday night against Miami. The team’s public injury reports and personnel moves in the coming days will determine how the front office and coaching staff adjust their pass‑rush rotation.
The immediate game impact is clear: Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and team leader with seven sacks this season, will not be available for a contest that could affect AFC playoff seeding. For the Browns, Garrett’s outreach underscores both the high-profile nature of their rivalry and the shared fraternity among elite defensive players who face similar physical risks. The Week 17 rematch in Cleveland on Dec. 28 now looms with added uncertainty around personnel for Pittsburgh.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term, the Steelers must redistribute snap duties and pressures among their remaining edge options. Watt’s absence removes not only sack production but also intangible leadership — veteran play-calling on rushing downs, situational awareness and the attention he draws from opposing offenses. That can shift blocking schemes and create space for other pass rushers, but it also increases pressure on depth players who may have limited experience against high-level offensive tackles.
From a standings perspective, Pittsburgh’s 7-6 record places extra weight on each remaining game in the AFC North fight. A string of unexpected losses without Watt could open a path for the Ravens or Bengals to overtake the division lead. Conversely, a short-term stepping-up performance by backups could mitigate the loss. Teams that face Pittsburgh in the next few weeks will likely adjust game plans to test the front seven without its top rusher.
For Garrett, the episode reframes his own chase of the single-season sack record. With Garrett three sacks shy of the 22.5 mark, media focus intensifies on his final weeks; narratives that once emphasized rivalry may pivot toward mutual respect, particularly as injuries remind rival players of shared occupational hazards. The league’s medical protocols and team facility procedures could also receive renewed scrutiny if investigators determine any treatment-related lapses contributed to the injury.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Season | Sacks |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Strahan | 2001 | 22.5 |
| T.J. Watt | 2021 | 22.5 |
| Myles Garrett | 2025 (through Dec. 12) | 19.5 |
The table above shows the NFL single-season sack leaders: Strahan and T.J. Watt share the record at 22.5 sacks. As of Dec. 12, 2025, Garrett is three sacks away from that mark, listed here at 19.5 based on the reporting that he is “three sacks away”. That proximity shapes late-season coverage and strategic decisions by offenses aimed at limiting his pass-rush opportunities.
Reactions & Quotes
Garrett framed his outreach in human terms, signaling solidarity beyond team rivalries while also acknowledging the competitive backdrop.
“I reached out to him, but I don’t have his number or anything… I’m hoping for the best.”
Myles Garrett
J.J. Watt’s social post supplied the first public medical detail and the news that T.J. had left the hospital after surgery.
“He suffered a partially collapsed lung following a dry needling treatment… he underwent surgery to treat it.”
J.J. Watt (X post)
Unconfirmed
- Whether the dry-needling session directly caused the pneumothorax has not been independently confirmed by medical investigators.
- The expected recovery timeline for T.J. Watt and any potential longer-term effects on his 2025 season remain unclear from public statements.
- Specific details about the surgery performed and whether additional procedures will be required have not been released by the team or family.
Bottom Line
The episode moves quickly from social-media disclosure to roster reality: a high-profile medical issue sidelined an elite defender at a critical juncture for the Steelers. Garrett’s outreach underscores the human side of intense rivalries and reminds fans that elite players often share common medical vulnerabilities. For the Steelers, the immediate task is adapting a pass rush and leadership structure without Watt; for the Browns and the broader AFC North, the competitive landscape shifts with each injured starter.
Key items to watch in the coming days include official updates from the Steelers’ medical staff, any adjustments reported on the team injury report, and whether Garrett’s pursuit of the sack record becomes a central NFL storyline as December progresses. Week 17’s rematch in Cleveland on Dec. 28 will carry added significance depending on how both teams manage health and depth between now and then.
Sources
- cleveland.com — Local news reporting and player quotes (journalism)
- J.J. Watt X profile — family/athlete post disclosing medical details (social media)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — official injury reports and team announcements (official team)
- Pro-Football-Reference — single-season sack leaders (sports statistics)