The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Monday night’s showdown with the Miami Dolphins facing both a medical crisis and roster fallout from their Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Their 27-22 road victory pushed Pittsburgh to 7-6 and into first place in the AFC North, but the week left the team’s defensive identity under strain.
Star edge-rusher, T.J. Watt, underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a partially collapsed (punctured) lung and has been ruled out for Monday.
Two days later, the NFL issued punishments for Week 14, including an $11,593 fine to Watt for a late hit that drew an unnecessary roughness call in the Steelers’ win over Baltimore.
This was the play that led to the fine.
Through 13 games, Watt has tallied seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and 53 combined tackles, while generating consistent edge pressure with 18 quarterback hits (tied for 10th most in the NFL).
The surgery will sideline the Steelers’ star defender following a dry-needling treatment at the team facility; Watt was hospitalized, the procedure to stabilize the lung was successful, and his recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Steelers brass and medical staff will set a return timetable in the coming days, but in the short term, the team must replace its primary pass rusher for a critical stretch of the season.
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With four regular-season games remaining, Pittsburgh still controls its division fate, but the margin for error narrows when a franchise cornerstone is sidelined.
After the Dolphins game, the Steelers will travel to Detroit and Cleveland, followed by their season finale against the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Week 18.
Their Week 14 win delivered a crucial divisional boost, but it came at a steep cost: the defense lost its leader to a sudden medical emergency, and, adding insult to (literal) injury, that same player has now been formally disciplined by the league.
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