Several NFL players are dealing with significant injuries, including Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt and New England’s Robert Spillane. Find out their status for Week 16 below.
T.J. Watt Injury Status
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt (lung) is out and Nick Herbig (hamstring) is doubtful.
Also out: left guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps), CB James Pierre (calf)
LS Christian Kuntz (knee) is questionable pic.twitter.com/qBoVqHSJPx
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) December 19, 2025
Watt will be sidelined for another week to recover from a collapsed lung suffered last week. Watt underwent surgery shortly after the injury.
There is no timeline for Watt’s recovery. However, the Steelers do not expect Watt’s injury to be season-ending.
The battle for the AFC North could determine whether Watts comes back early or not.
With their Week 15 win, the Steelers (8-6) have a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (7-7). The Steelers’ next two games are against the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns.
If the Steelers win both games and the Ravens lose one of their next two games, then Pittsburgh wins the AFC North. In that scenario, the Steelers’ Week 18 game against the Ravens would be meaningless.
The Ravens play the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers over the next two weeks.
If Baltimore wins both games, then Week 18’s matchup will be for the division. If Baltimore wins its final three games, then the Ravens win the AFC North.
If the Steelers clinch the division before Week 18, then Watt will get an extra week of rest before the playoff game. If Week 18 becomes a must-win game to make the postseason, Watt might have to rush back early to play.
Watt has registered 22 total tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception in 13 games this season.
Robert Spillane Injury Update
Patriots Friday injury report and #NEvsBAL game statuses.
More on the report: https://t.co/R0XiYJUQVT pic.twitter.com/6Dxh5Kzpme
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 19, 2025
The Patriots will be without their leading tackler in Week 16.
Spillane has been ruled out for Sunday night’s game against the Ravens because of a left ankle injury.
Spillane was active for New England’s Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, he did not play and was only available for emergencies.
The Patriots will have Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, and a Ravens’ rushing attack that ranks third in the NFL with 146.2 rushing yards per game.
After cruising for most of the season, the Patriots suffered a setback in Week 15, blowing a 21-point lead in a 35-31 loss to the Bills.
The Patriots scored on four of their first five possessions to take a 24-7 lead.
The tables turned in the second half, as Josh Allen orchestrated four consecutive drives that ended in a touchdown to win the game by four points.
With the victory, the Bills moved to 10-4, one game behind the New England Patriots (11-3) for the AFC East.
The Patriots can clinch a postseason berth with a win over the Ravens. They can also clinch a spot with a Texans loss or a Colts loss.
