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 Night time Soccer.”
The Steelers introduced Thursday that Watt, tied for fifth within the league in pressured fumbles (three), has been hospitalized due to a lung challenge. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the harm occurred Wednesday when the LB was receiving remedy on the group 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 stated in a press release 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 snug, however he does not know far more concerning the lung harm.
“I am a bit bit cautious about what I say, as a result of I’m not a medical knowledgeable,” the coach said, by way of Teresa Varley of the group web site. “However to make a protracted story brief, he was experiencing some discomfort when he was on the facility yesterday. So, we took him to the docs and so they’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 feel 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 info after Watt undergoes extra testing. He additionally clarified that he did not know concerning the LB’s harm till he heard about it within the group’s cafeteria.
How T.J. Watt’s harm impacts Steelers in Week 15
The Steelers (7-6) should preserve stacking wins to seize the AFC North and safe a postseason berth. If Pittsburgh beats Miami (6-7), its postseason odds improve from 70 to 77%, via The Athletic.
The Dolphins, nevertheless, are on a roll after successful 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 change into more difficult for the struggling unit.
