Steelers Edge T.J. Watt had surgery Thursday to "stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung suffered Wednesday after a dry needling treatment session at the facility," according to his brother J.J. Watt. Pittsburgh has ruled him out for Monday's game against the Dolphins.

Steelers Edge T.J. Watt is in the hospital getting "further medical evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort" at the team's practice facility Wednesday, according to Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten.

The Steelers have ruled Edge Alex Highsmith out for Sunday's game against the Bengals with a pectoral injury that kept him out of practice all week. That damages the Pittsburgh pass rush, but Nick Herbig has filled in effectively in the past and will start opposite T.J. Watt. He's worth a look where available on waivers in IDP leagues.

Steelers S DeShon Elliott has arrived in Cincinnati and had his "questionable" tag removed for Thursday night's game against the Bengals, according to multiple reports. Elliott didn't travel with the team because his was tending to a personal matter, but he's ready to go and should be in IDP lineups as planned.

Steelers S DeShon Elliott is not traveling with the team to Cincinnati for the Thursday night game because of a personal matter. Pittsburgh still lists him as questionable for the game, though, indicating he could still arrive separately Thursday and be ready to play.

Steelers Edge Alex Highsmith says he hopes to be ready to play Sunday against the Browns. Highsmith has been out with a high ankle sprain since Week 2 but plans to ramp up his practice participation this week.

Steelers Edge Alex Highsmith left Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with what the team quickly deemed a high ankle sprain. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports, however, that Highsmith is not expected to land on IR.

The Steelers are set to announced the signing of S Jabrill Peppers, according to multiple reports. That comes two days after S DeShon Elliott left the win over the Jets with a knee injury. And there are mixed early signals out Elliott's outlook.

Steelers S DeShon Elliott is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Ravens with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Week 15 loss to the Eagles. Elliott returned to a limited Thursday practice, which could signal a Week 17 return to game action.

The Steelers listed Edge T.J. Watt as a full participant in Thursday's practice and gave him no injury designation for Saturday's game against the Ravens. So Watt's ready to play just six days after spraining an ankle late in the loss to the Eagles. Don't be surprised if we get a more limited version of Watt against Baltimore. But there's risk to sitting the star pass rusher. I'll be watching for reports ahead of the game signaling any specific limitation on his playing time or mobility.

Steelers Edge T.J. Watt returned to a limited practice Wednesday and is expected to play Saturday against the Ravens. HC Mike Tomlin said earlier in the week that he's "optimistic" about Watt's chances of playing through the low-ankle sprain he sustained late in the Week 15 loss to the Eagles.

Steelers Edge T.J. Watt left Sunday's loss to the Eagles late in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a low-ankle sprain. Watt said after the game that X-rays were negative.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Edge T.J. Watt (knee) will miss Sunday's playoff game at Buffalo. That likely leaves rookie Nick Herbig as the playing-time leader in Watt's spot opposite Alex Highsmith.

J.J. Watt reports that the injury to his little brother's knee isn't as bad as originally feared. He says Steelers Edge T.J. Watt sustained a mere Grade 2 sprain to his left MCL. That could still knock the younger Watt out of Pittsburgh's playoff opener. But it gives him a better chance to play than previous reports or a tear or Grade 3 sprain. We'll see about Watt's status heading into Wild Card weekend.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers believe Edge T.J. Watt suffered a Grade 3 sprain to his left MCL in Saturday's win over the Ravens. Watt reportedly wanted to re-enter the game after sustaining the injury, but the team would not let him. He'll have further testing to confirm what is typically a multi-week injury. If the Steelers make the playoffs -- they need some help Sunday -- we'll see whether Watt can return for the opener.

Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's believed to be an MCL tear. That would seem to make Watt unlikely to play in the playoffs, if Pittsburgh qualifies.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) is inactive for today's game against the Ravens. LB Elandon Roberts (pec) is active.

The Steelers list S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (pec) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Ravens. Each guy remained limited in practice all week and will carry some risk even if active. We'll check their statuses ahead of Saturday's kickoff.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (pec) put in limited practices Wednesday. It marked the first workout for Fitzpatrick since he left Week 15 with the injury. Roberts also practiced for the first time since leaving Week 16 early. We'll see whether the defensive starters are ready to play Saturday against the Ravens.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss a second straight game with his knee injury. He has yet to practice since sustaining the injury. This will be the sixth missed game among the past nine for Fitzpatrick, leaving a severely depleted safety corps to face the Seahawks. Eric Rowe started in Fitzpatrick's place last week, collecting 7 tackles (3 solo) and an INT against the Bengals. He's still tough to use in Week 18 IDP lineups after just one start.

The Steelers announced Thursday that DL Cameron Heyward has cleared the concussion protocol. Rather than publicly ponder whether Pittsburgh's concussion process should get league review after Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex HIghsmith all cleared in time for the game following their injuries ... we'll just go ahead and get Heyward into the Week 16 DL rankings. He's a decent IDP option against a Bengals team that did allow him a sack last time. But Heyward hasn't generated more than 2 pressures in a game this year. He's a solid bet for tackles -- including a tackle for loss -- but a less-good bet for sack production.