The Pittsburgh Steelers could also be with out linebacker T.J. Watt in a vital Week 15 sport towards 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 subject. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the damage occurred Wednesday when the LB was receiving remedy on the group facility.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin discusses T.J. Watt’s standing
“He won’t be at observe on Thursday, and his standing for Monday night time’s sport towards Miami is in query,” the Steelers mentioned 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 sport stays unsure. The coach added he has since communicated with the LB, who says he is feeling snug, however he would not know far more in regards to the lung damage.
“I am a bit bit cautious about what I say, as a result of I’m not a medical skilled,” the coach said, by way of Teresa Varley of the group 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 and so they’re going via 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 group’s cafeteria.
How T.J. Watt’s damage 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 enhance 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 sport (via StatMuse).
The Steelers protection has floundered all through the season, rating nineteenth within the league in factors allowed (23.9). If Watt would not play in Week 15, stopping the surging Dolphins will solely grow to be more difficult for the struggling unit.
