Steelers star LB T.J. Watt hospitalized with lung issue

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt is undergoing medical evaluation of a lung at a local hospital after experiencing discomfort at the team's practice facility on Wednesday.

"He will not be at practice on Thursday, and his status for Monday night's game vs. Miami is in question," the Steelers said in a statement on Thursday. "Coach (Mike) Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time."

The Steelers (7-6) did not divulge the severity of the lung issue.

Signed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed in July, Watt has recorded seven sacks and 53 tackles in 13 games (all starts) this season. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has not missed a game since the 2022 season.

Watt, 31, has 115 career sacks in 134 games (all starts) since being selected by Pittsburgh with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982) held by Michael Strahan and has been a first-team All-Pro four times.

--Field Level Media