The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, addressed the media on Thursday with a sobering update on star linebacker TJ Watt, who remains hospitalized after experiencing a frightening lung issue this week.
Watt was taken to a local hospital on Wednesday after reporting sudden discomfort in his lungs while at the team’s practice facility. And he stayed overnight for observation and further testing.
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Tomlin described the situation cautiously, emphasizing that the team is still gathering information and that his comments are limited by the evolving nature of the medical evaluation.
Tomlin said, “I’m a little bit cautious about what I say, because I am not a medical expert…he was experiencing some discomfort when he was at the facility yesterday. So, we took him to the docs, and they’re going through some procedures. He stayed overnight in the hospital. He has a lung situation that’s being addressed…that’s all I know at this juncture.”
He added that he spoke with TJ Watt Wednesday night and that the linebacker was comfortable, but acknowledged that the team awaits results from further tests. Tomlin also made it clear that Watt’s status for Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins remains uncertain. “His status for Monday night is really up in the air. I think what transpired this afternoon is going to provide more information for us. I just don’t have a lot as I stand here today,” Tomlin added.
The health scare unfolded abruptly this week, with Watt alerting team medical staff to discomfort and being rushed to the hospital for evaluation.
While details of the underlying cause have not been officially released, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the lung issue occurred during treatment at the Steelers’ practice facility, and Watt has been in the hospital since Wednesday.
Schefter’s update suggests the incident happened around the time Watt was receiving care, though the organization has declined to offer specifics on the nature or severity of the condition.
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Watt, 31, has been one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers and a cornerstone of the Steelers’ defense. A seven-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year, he leads Pittsburgh this season with seven sacks and has been a key contributor in the team’s push toward the playoffs.
Losing TJ Watt, even temporarily, would be a significant blow for a Steelers squad currently in a tight AFC North race. The team has repeatedly said updates will be shared “at the appropriate time” as more medical information becomes available.
This is a developing article. The piece will be updated as more official details about Watt’s condition emerge.
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