Minkah

Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick was a full participant in practice throughout the week before being removed from the injury report. He hasn’t played since Week 15. The star safety only played in 10 regular season games but still managed to rack up 64 tackles and three pass breakups. Getting him back is a big win for a defense that heads into the postseason with T.J. Watt.

Fitzpatrick has been out with a knee injury since Week 15 and has only been able to get in a handful of practices since then, so the fact that he was able to practice on Wednesday is a good sign for his availability for Sunday’s wild card game against the Bills. With T.J. Watt sidelined, getting Fitzpatrick would be a big boost as the Steelers try to shutdown Josh Allen.

The Steelers need a win and significant help to reach the postseason, making the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick of particular intrigue. It’ll otherwise be all hands on deck in the must-win contest.

The Steelers’ Tuesday practice report was just an estimation, but Fitzpatrick was notably listed as a non-participant. He has been out since Week 15 with a knee issue that he continues to deal with. Fitzpatrick has a few days to return to practice for a Week 18 matchup against the Ravens. The only other Steeler listed as a non-participant was LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral).

Fitzpatrick suffered the knee issue in Week 15 and has been sidelined since. The knee injury is the latest in a string of recent issues for the star safety. He has only appeared in 10 games this year. Fitzpatrick has 64 tackles and three pass breakups in those 10 games.

Fitzpatrick exited Week 15 with a knee injury and missed Week 16 against the Bengals with the issue. He starts out the week with a DNP listing and his absence would be a tough blow in a critical Week 17 matchup against the Seahawks. LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral) also did not participate in practice, leaving the Steelers defense thin over the middle of the field.

Head coach Mike Tomlin made the announcement on Tuesday, continuing a tough season for the Steelers’ safety, who missed multiple weeks with a hamstring injury earlier in the year. Given how important this game is for Pittsburgh’s playoff chances, it’s a really tough blow for a team that has been reeling of late. On the other side, this is good news for Bengals QB Jake Browning, who has looked good in place of an injured Joe Burrow but could be without star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase this weekend.

Fitzpatrick left the game in the second quarter and was attended to in the medical tent before being ruled questionable to return with a knee injury.

It’s a nice boost for the Steelers against the Cardinals’ struggling passing game. Of course, Fitzpatrick could be at risk of re-injury just seven days out from first tweaking his hammy. Inactive for the Steelers are QB Mason Rudolph, CB Darius Rush, RB Anthony McFarland, LB Blake Martinez, DT Montravius Adams and OT Dylan Cook.

Fitzpatrick hasn’t played since Week 8, so getting him back on the practice field in full is great news for the Steelers. His return will be a boost for the secondary before they take on Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown, and the Cardinals offense.