TJ Watt suffered collapsed lung while receiving treatment from Steelers

Dry needling treatment is used to address muscle pain and involves inserting needles to relieve pain and improve blood flow in knotted muscles. A collapsed lung is a possible side effect, but is described by the Cleveland Clinic as an “extremely rare” one.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor infamously suffered a punctured lung when receiving a pain-killing injection from a team doctor while with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. The doctor, David S. Gazzaniga, remains employed by the Chargers, though Taylor filed a lawsuit against him two years after the incident.

In the short-term, the most relevant fact is that Watt’s status is unclear at best going forward, but he may miss time while the Steelers are in the midst of a playoff push. They currently sit at 7-6 and occupy first place in the AFC North.

Watt has 53 total tackles and 7 sacks in 13 games this season. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a three-year, $123 million extension with Pittsburgh this past offseason.