Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt is ready to take a break from dry needling and get back to work on the football field after a “very scary” incident derailed his NFL season.

The linebacker is hopeful to play on Monday (AEDT) when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Steel City with the AFC North title on the line.

The perennial Pro Bowler has missed Pittsburgh’s past three games following a dry needling treatment mishap that led to surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung.

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Watt called the accident, which was administered by a member of the club’s athletic/medical staff, a “fluke” as he spoke to media for the first time.

TJ Watt spent three games on the sidelines. Getty

The 31-year-old, like many NFL players, has used the treatment, in which needles are inserted under the skin to target trigger points – for some time.

While he didn’t rule out turning to it down the road, he added with a grin that it won’t be a part of his recovery regimen in the short-term.

Watt experienced discomfort after having treatment at the facility last month and went to the hospital, where he was told he needed surgery to fix his lung.

“Obviously very scary,” Watt said.

“Just a significant amount of pain at the same time you’re going to work, and then all of a sudden you need surgery. It sucks. Just a lot of unknown.”

Watt sat out three critical games while recovering and the Steelers went 2-1 during that stretch — doubling the win total the club had without Watt in the lineup during the first eight seasons of his career — and can win the division if they defeat the Ravens.

TJ Watt speaks with head coach Mike Tomlin. Getty

Watt called the rehab process “unique” but felt good after practice before the game.

“I have no limitations,” Watt said.

“I tried to simulate as much as I could with shoulder pads and stuff like that. But you can only simulate so much. I feel really good right now.

Watt declined to get into specifics about how he was affected physically, instead focusing on what he can do to help the Steelers get into the playoffs.

Pittsburgh have reached the post-season five times during Watt’s career, but have yet to advance anywhere near the Super Bowl in that period.

“Everyone knows the magnitude of this game,” Watt said.

“It’s just a matter of going out and getting it done. That’s kind of the key. Everybody knows how important these games are. Everybody knows this is what you train all offseason, your whole career for games like this.”

TJ Watt lines up against the Ravens earlier in the season. Getty

Watt, who receives a significant amount of attention from opposing linemen, tight ends and running backs, has just seven sacks this season, his lowest total in a year in which he’s played at least 13 games since his rookie year in 2017.

While the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is well aware of the major hole on his NFL resume, he’s also simply happy that he may have a chance to make an impact instead of watching from afar or on the sideline as he’s been forced to do while he recovers.

“I’m glad to have the doctors that we had, the surgeon that I had … to be able to be here playing football games this weekend,” Watt said