The Pittsburgh Steelers could also be with out linebacker T.J. Watt in an important Week 15 recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
The Steelers introduced Thursday that Watt, tied for fifth within the league in pressured fumbles (three), has been hospitalized due to a lung difficulty. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the damage occurred Wednesday when the LB was receiving remedy on the crew facility.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin discusses T.J. Watt’s standing
“He is not going to be at observe on Thursday, and his standing for Monday evening’s recreation in opposition to Miami is in query,” the Steelers mentioned in an announcement on Thursday (h/t Field Level Media). “Coach Tomlin will present extra updates on the applicable time.”
After the announcement, Tomlin reiterated Watt’s standing for Monday’s recreation stays unsure. The coach added he has since communicated with the LB, who says he is feeling comfy, however he does not know way more in regards to the lung damage.
“I am just a little bit cautious about what I say, as a result of I’m not a medical professional,” the coach said, through Teresa Varley of the crew web site. “However to make a protracted story quick, he was experiencing some discomfort when he was on the facility yesterday. So, we took him to the docs they usually’re going by way of some procedures. He stayed in a single day within the hospital.
“He has a lung state of affairs that is being addressed. I believe he has some testing and so forth forward of him this afternoon, and that is all I do know at this juncture.”
Tomlin added he’ll present extra data after Watt undergoes extra testing. He additionally clarified that he did not know in regards to the LB’s damage till he heard about it within the crew’s cafeteria.
How T.J. Watt’s damage impacts Steelers in Week 15
The Steelers (7-6) should hold stacking wins to seize the AFC North and safe a postseason berth. If Pittsburgh beats Miami (6-7), its postseason odds enhance from 70 to 77%, via The Athletic.
The Dolphins, nonetheless, are on a roll after profitable 4 straight video games. Throughout this streak, Miami has averaged an above-average 25.3 factors per recreation (via StatMuse).
The Steelers protection has floundered all through the season, rating nineteenth within the league in factors allowed (23.9). If Watt does not play in Week 15, stopping the surging Dolphins will solely turn out to be tougher for the struggling unit.
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