Steelers star TJ Watt set to return just 3 weeks after surgery for partially collapsed lung

Pittsburgh Steelers prima T.J. Watt said he's excited to play against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday conscionable 3 weeks aft undergoing country to repair a partially collapsed lung.

Watt, 31, past played successful Week 14 against the Ravens earlier being hospitalized aboriginal that week aft sustaining a collapsed lung portion adust needling astatine the Steelers’ grooming complex. 

"I consciousness truly good. Not definite that I could’ve said that a week ago," the eight-time Pro Bowler said, according to ESPN. "I’m excited to play."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt warms up earlier a crippled against the Buffalo Bills astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh Nov. 30, 2025. (Barry Reeger/Imagn Images)

The Steelers' crippled against the Ravens is simply a win-or-go-home matchup with the victor capturing the AFC North. The Steelers could person clinched the AFC North past week if the Ravens mislaid to the Green Bay Packers oregon if the Steelers had beaten the Cleveland Browns.

Instead, the Ravens bushed the Packers 41-24 without an injured Lamar Jackson, and the Steelers mislaid to the Cleveland Browns 13-6, mounting up Week 18’s matchup for the part rubric and a playoff spot.

LAMAR JACKSON CONFIRMS HE'LL START FOR RAVENS IN MUST-WIN AFC NORTH FINALE AGAINST STEELERS

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt watches the enactment against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2nd fractional astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh Nov. 2, 2025. (Barry Reeger/Imagn Images)

The instrumentality of Watt volition beryllium a large boost to the Steelers’ defense. In 13 games this season, Watt has 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 53 full tackles. The erstwhile Wisconsin prima has made the Pro Bowl each of the past 7 seasons.

Watt was named Defensive Player of the Year successful 2021 aft signaling 22½ sacks. The four-time first-team All-Pro has been runner-up for the grant 2 different seasons.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to watercourse the full FOX Nation library, positive unrecorded FOX News, Sports and Entertainment astatine our lowest terms of the year. The connection ends connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)

For his career, Watt has recorded 115 sacks and 36 forced fumbles successful 134 games and is perpetually astir the quarterback. 

The Steelers and Ravens play astatine 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.