ST.T.J. Watt Rushed Back to Hospital After Surgery Complications Just One Day After Discharge

Pittsburgh, PA . Less than 24 hours after being released from the hospital, Steelers defensive captain T.J. Watt was forced to return for emergency medical care, following complications related to his recent surgery.

Watt had initially been hospitalized earlier this week after suffering a collapsed lung, a life threatening condition that required immediate medical intervention. After undergoing surgery and being deemed stable enough to go home, optimism briefly surrounded his recovery.

That optimism quickly faded.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Watt experienced post surgical complications shortly after his discharge, prompting doctors to rush him back to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The nature of the complication has not been fully disclosed, but any setback involving the lungs is treated as extremely serious.

Medical experts note that complications following a pneumothorax procedure can include recurring air leaks, breathing instability, or pressure changes within the chest cavity. For elite athletes, especially those in high impact roles, even minor complications can escalate rapidly.

For Watt, who plays one of the most physically punishing positions in football, this development raises concerns that extend well beyond a short term absence. Edge rushers place immense strain on their respiratory system through explosive movements, constant contact, and repeated collisions. Any instability in lung function can pose long term, even career threatening, risks.

The Steelers have not provided a new timetable for Watt’s recovery, and internally the focus has shifted away from football entirely. Team officials are prioritizing medical clarity and long term safety as doctors reassess his condition.

This latest emergency underscores how fragile the situation remains. What began as a routine treatment week has evolved into a medical battle that could redefine Watt’s future, and possibly his career.

At this moment, the question is no longer when T.J. Watt will return to the field. It is whether his body will allow him to do so safely at all.

Detroit Lions DL DJ Reader Named 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Club Winner

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Dec. 4, 2025. The Detroit Lions officially announced that defensive lineman

DJ Reader has been selected as their 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award club winner, presented by Nationwide. This honor represents the highest recognition for NFL players who excel on the field while making a profound impact off it.

Now in his 10th NFL season and second year wearing Honolulu Blue, Reader has continued the community-driven mission that has defined his career. His outreach spans crucial issues including access to health care, youth education and empowerment, and food assistance. Already nominated for the award in 2019 with Houston and a recipient of the

President’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award in 2022, Reader brings a deep understanding of what it means to invest in the cities he plays for.

Reader said the work is personal, inspired by watching his father serve students as a teacher.

“When you’re there and showing your face, I think you inspire people. My parents always made sure I poured into the community that poured into me. It’s an honor to give back to Detroit,” Reader shared.

At the heart of his efforts is his foundation, A Son Never Forgets, which promotes health and wellness by providing essential services and resources to underserved communities. Through the foundation, he organizes an annual youth football camp in North Carolina, funds free health screenings, supports wellness programs, and has created six public reading rooms across North Carolina and Cincinnati. He has also provided grant funding for athletic programs to upgrade facilities, equipment, and competition support.

Reader’s passion for service is also rooted in honoring his late father, David Reader, who passed away from kidney disease in 2014. Since 2016, DJ has awarded annual scholarships to students from his hometown of Greensboro, N.C., through a memorial fund dedicated to his father. His support of the

National Kidney Foundation spans nearly a decade — including hosting charity walks and golf tournaments that raised over $175,000 for kidney research and awareness.

After joining Detroit in 2024, Reader quickly embraced the city with back-to-school initiatives, including supplying backpacks, school materials, and dental screenings. He also organized a Thanksgiving turkey drive, aligning with one of the Lions’ most storied holiday traditions and instantly connecting with Detroit families.

All 32 team nominees will be honored during Super Bowl LX week in the Bay Area, with the national winner announced on February 5 during the primetime NFL Honors ceremony. Each club nominee’s chosen charity will receive

$40,000, while the national winner’s charity will be awarded $250,000, all funded by the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

Fans can support their favorite nominee in the

Nationwide Charity Challenge by posting #WPMOYChallenge + player’s last name/handle on X/Twitter or voting at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The winner of the challenge secures an additional $35,000 for their charity, with $10,000 and $5,000 going to the second- and third-place finishers. Voting runs

Dec. 4 – Jan. 5, 2026.

Starting Week 14 and continuing through season’s end, DJ Reader and all 2025 club nominees will wear the Walter Payton Man of the Year helmet decal as recognition of their outstanding achievements on and off the field.

For more information, visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.