T.J. Watt Fantasy Stats

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently gave edge rusher Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million contract extension, which has led to more speculation that the Steelers could trade one of linebackers T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith, this offseason. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that Watt "isn't going anywhere this year, and he's going to play for the Steelers." Rapoport also doesn't "get the sense" that Highsmith is going anywhere either. Watt, 31, signed a three-year, $123 million contract with Pittsburgh in July of last year. It doesn't sound like he's a realistic trade candidate this offseason, but that could be a different story come next year, when the Steelers will have a decision to make either way. The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro can still be a difference-maker on defense when he's healthy, but he's not getting any younger, and durability is becoming a bit more of a concern for the Steelers and fantasy managers in IDP formats. Watt played in 14 regular-season games in 2025 and had just seven sacks, the second-fewest total of his nine-year NFL career.

Some NFL teams could see the Pittsburgh Steelers at least considering moving on from star linebacker T.J. Watt, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. If Pittsburgh ends up signing fellow linebacker Nick Herbig to a long-term extension, the Steelers would have three large contracts (Watt and Alex Highsmith as well) allocated to one position. The 31-year-old Watt is a legacy player, but he will turn 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both this year and next year. For as good as Watt has been -- he's an eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro -- the former first-rounder isn't getting any younger, and he missed three of the team's final four games in 2025 due to a partially collapsed lung. He has led the NFL in sacks three different times, but after recording 19 sacks in 2023, he has had a combined 18.5 sacks the last two years. It's still hard to imagine the Steelers moving on from the face of their franchise, but if he has another lackluster season in 2026, his time might be up in the Steel City.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 18 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens. Watt will return from a three-game absence due to a partially collapsed lung that required a procedure to repair. The return of Watt will come at a great time, with this being a must-win game for the Steelers. The two teams will fight for the AFC North division title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Given the nature of the injury, it's unclear if Watt is going to have a full snap count this weekend. Through 13 games, Watt has recorded 53 tackles, seven sacks, and one interception this season. His presence on the field will be a significant boost for the Steelers' defense, even if he's limited.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt's (lung) chances of playing this Sunday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "We'll work him up over the course of the week and let the amount of participation and quality of participation be our guide. I'm more optimistic than I've been in previous weeks," Tomlin said. Watt has missed the last three games after having surgery to fix a partially collapsed lung. Pittsburgh could really use one of the best pass-rushers in football for a contest that will decide the AFC North division on Sunday evening. The loser will go home. Tomlin previously said Watt wouldn't play unless he put in a full week of full practices, so we'll keep a close eye on his status this week. The 31-year-old was limited all of last week before being ruled out. If Watt is active in the regular-season finale, he almost certainly won't be at 100%.

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is considered "up in the air" for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Watt missed a third straight game in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns after having surgery to fix a partially collapsed lung in early December. Reports have varied as far as his potential availability for this Sunday's game, in which the winner wins the AFC North division, and the loser goes home. Head coach Mike Tomlin has said that Watt won't return to game action until he can practice in full for an entire week, so the 31-year-old's practice status will be closely monitored this week. If Watt is active Sunday night versus Baltimore, he surely won't be at 100% and will most likely be on a pitch count.

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is considered a "long shot" to play in Week 18 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night with the AFC North title on the line, a source with knowledge of the situation told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "Never say never, but not an ideal timeline to be fully cleared," the source said. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Watt won't play until he has a full week of practice as a full participant. Watt had surgery on Dec. 12 to fix a partially collapsed lung and has missed the last three games. The 31-year-old pass-rusher's lung was punctured during a defective dry-needle procedure. A report on Sunday suggested that Watt would make it back for Week 18 or the first round of the playoffs if Pittsburgh qualifies, but that might not be the case now. Not having one of the most disruptive defensive players available against Baltimore would be a huge loss for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is expected to return for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Watt's health is in a "good place," and he should play in the Steelers' next meaningful game. As it turns out, Week 18 will be a meaningful game, since the winner of Ravens-Steelers wins the AFC North. Once next weekend comes around, Watt should return following a three-game absence. He has been sidelined due to a dry needling session that went awry and resulted in a partially collapsed lung. The 31-year-old will likely make a huge impact against a Ravens offense led by Lamar Jackson (back) and Derrick Henry.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Detroit Lions, and he could miss additional time beyond this week, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Watt is headed for his second consecutive absence after a scary situation in which he was hospitalized with a partially collapsed lung. The defensive superstar is prioritizing his health and acknowledges that returning to play is far less important than getting healthy. Watt is due for more medical evaluation next week, and while a Week 17 return remains possible, it's far from certain. Pittsburgh will welcome him back with open arms whenever possible, as he terrorized opposing offenses with 53 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception through 13 games.

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) didn't practice again on Thursday and appears unlikely to return for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions in Week 16, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Watt needed surgery for a collapsed lung and was forced to sit out Monday night's win over the Miami Dolphins. The 31-year-old All-Pro linebacker is now headed for a second straight missed game, and it's unclear if he'll be ready to return for a Week 17 date against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh's defense looked much-improved against the hapless Dolphins offense in Week 15, but fantasy managers alive in the playoffs should be looking to fade the Steelers' defense/special teams unit this weekend on the road against Detroit, especially without Watt in the fold.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt (lung) has officially been ruled out for the Monday night game in Week 15 against the visiting Miami Dolphins, according to Teresa Varley of the team's official website. Watt had surgery on Thursday to fix a partially collapsed lung and is at home resting comfortably. The 31-year-old outside linebacker will be missing his first game of the year, and it's unclear if he can make it back to face the Detroit Lions in Week 16. The Steelers' defense won't have its leader on the field this Monday, but they'll still be in play for fantasy managers as a streaming unit against the Dolphins in primetime. Nick Herbig will need to pick up the slack as a starter for Pittsburgh's defense with Watt sidelined. Watt has had a down year in 2025 with only seven sacks in 13 starts.