Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Primed for Week 13 return
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (hamstring) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Fitzpatrick finally appears to be back to full strength after he sat out of Pittsburgh's last four games due to a hamstring injury. He projects as a strong IDP option this Sunday, when the Steelers host the Cardinals. Through seven appearances this season, Fitzpatrick has tallied 54 tackles and two pass breakups.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Missing another week
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Fitzpatrick has missed Pittsburgh's last three games, and he was unable to practice all week, so it's not a surprise that the All-Pro safety won't suit up for Sunday's contest. Trenton Thompson and Miles Killebrew will both likely see increased snaps in the Steelers' secondary in Fitzpatrick's stead.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Misses practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (hamstring) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Fitzpatrick has sat out the Steelers' last three games as he continues to tend to a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 8 versus the Jaguars, and he's again missing Pittsburgh's first practice of the new week. If he can't manage to practice Thursday or Friday, he'll probably be out again for Week 12.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Won't play Sunday vs. Packers
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (hamstring) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus Green Bay, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Fitzpatrick was unable to practice during the week and will miss his second straight game as he works through a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 8 versus the Jaguars. In his place, Keanu Neal will probably start at safety in Week 10.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Still not practicing
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (hamstring) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Despite having made progress recently in his recovery from the hamstring injury he sustained in Week 8 versus Jacksonville, Fitzpatrick sat out to start Pittsburgh's new week of practice. If he can't practice Thursday or Friday either, he'll likely miss Sunday's game versus Green Bay.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Making progress in recovery
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (hamstring) is "improving," according to head coach Mike Tomlin, who also stated, "We'll see what the week holds for him and see if there's a potential for availability at the latter part of the week," Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Fitzpatrick suffered the injury Week 8 against the Jaguars and was unable to play Thursday against the Titans. However, it appears the Pro Bowl safety does have a chance of returning Sunday against the Packers if he can get back on the practice field in the back half of the week.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Won't play in Week 9
Rotowire
Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Fitzpatrick (hamstring) won't play in Thursday's game versus Tennessee, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Fitzpatrick was set to undergo an MRI on Monday, but irrespective of the results, he'll have to sit out at least one game as he recovers from his hamstring injury. Keanu Neal will likely start at safety versus the Titans in Fitzpatrick's absence.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Compiles 11 tackles in win
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick recorded 11 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 23-18 win over the Raiders.
Fitzpatrick was very active in Week 3, compiling a season-high 11 takedowns while more than doubling his total on the year. Through three games in 2023, the safety has recorded 21 tackles and two pass deflections.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Unavailable for practice
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (chest) was a non-participant at the Steelers' practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.
Fitzpatrick missed Wednesday's practice session as he continues to recover from the chest injury he suffered in Monday night's 26-22 win over the Browns. The safety went down with the injury in the third quarter and underwent scans at the hospital prior to being discharged. The safety's status at practice the rest of the week will likely dictate his chances to play Sunday in Las Vegas.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Four tackles in opener
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick compiled four tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 30-7 loss to the 49ers.
Fitzpatrick didn't provide any game-changing plays and his four tackles left much to be desired, but he'll look to increase his production in Week 2 versus the Browns on Monday Night Football. The safety played all 66 defensive snaps in Week 1 and figures to be one of the best free safeties once again in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (ankle) is active Sunday against the Browns.
Fitzpatrick closed out the week with a limited practice Friday, which set the stage for him to take the field Sunday. The star safety's ability to suit up is certainly good news for the Steelers, as they look to increase their chances for a playoff spot with a win against Cleveland.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Receives questionable tag
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
The star safety was sidelined for the Steelers' first two Week 18 practices, but his ability to put in a limited session Friday leaves the door open for him to play in the regular-season finale. Given that the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by the Dolphins and Patriots this weekend, Fitzpatrick has some incentive to play through the injury at less than 100 percent health. He's played all but two of the Steelers' defensive snaps in each of the past seven games, totaling 41 tackles, five pass breakups and three interceptions during that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Sits out practice again Thursday
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (ankle) did not participate in the Steelers' practice Thursday.
Fitzpatrick was forced out for three defensive snaps after he picked up an ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Ravens. While the star safety has now sat out each of the first two practices during Week 18 prep, coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday the team is not "overly concerned" about the issue affecting his availability moving forward. Fitzpatrick will now have one more opportunity to increase his activity before the Steelers must assign him an official game status Friday ahead of the regular-season finale against Cleveland this Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Seals game with interception
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick notched seven tackles (five solo), one interception and one pass breakup during Sunday's 19-16 win over Atlanta.
Fitzpatrick ended the Falcons' final drive with a game-icing interception of Marcus Mariota intended for Drake London. With his first pick since Week 4, Fitzpatrick now needs just one more interception to tie his career-best mark (five). He could get a chance to do so Week 14 versus a Ravens team that may be without Lamar Jackson (knee).
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Could play this week
Rotowire
Head coach Mike Tomlin is "optimistic" about Fitzpatrick's (appendix) chances of playing Sunday against the Bengals, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Fitzpatrick underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix Saturday, but he appears to be recovering quickly from the procedure. Tomlin also noted that he felt "positive" about the safety's inclusion this week, which bodes well for his Week 11 availability. However, his status in practice will be worth monitoring throughout the week, even if he could arguably play Sunday without practicing at all this week.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Could return for Week 11
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick is expected to miss 7-to-10 days after undergoing an appendectomy Saturday, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Fitzpatrick started to feel ill Thursday, and his condition worsened as the weekend approached. The safety was ultimately diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent emergency surgery Saturday before missing Sunday's win over the Saints. After initially being expected to miss multiple weeks, Fitzpatrick's updated timeline leaves the door open for him to possibly return to the field Week 11 versus the Bengals. His status is worth monitoring as the week progresses, though there's a chance he could play Sunday without participating in practice at all this week. Damontae Kazee recorded an interception while deflecting another pass and making four tackles in Fitzpatrick's absence Week 10 and would make another start this Sunday if Fitzpatrick can't go.
Fitzpatrick (appendix) is expected to face a multi-week absence, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Fitzpatrick was already ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints, but he'll likely be required to sit out additional contests. Adam Schefter of ESPN suggested that Fitzpatrick could return in Week 12 against the Colts. The Steelers' defense looked to be getting healthy, with both T.J. Watt and Levi Wallace returning from injury. However, they'll now be without the star of their secondary, with Damontae Kazee likely to take over at free safety.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Back in full Thursday
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (knee) was listed as a full participant on the Steelers' injury report Thursday.
Fitzpatrick has been dealing with a knee injury since Pittsburgh's Week 4 loss to the Jets, and he was limited in practice before being ruled out for Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. The star safety was optimistic about a return versus his former team Miami in Week 7, and he should be clear to go after practicing without any limitations for the first time Thursday. Fitzpatrick is currently on track to record a career high in interceptions this season, and his return should prove extremely valuable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins' talented receiving corps.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Expects to play in Week 7
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (knee) appears likely to play in Week 7 versus the Dolphins, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Fitzpatrick said Wednesday that his knee feels "good" and that he expects to suit up Sunday after sitting out the Steelers' Week 6 win over the Buccaneers. The safety has been incredibly productive in 2022, delivering 33 tackles and four pass deflections while recording three interceptions over five games. His activity in practice will still be worth monitoring as the week goes on, and if he can't go Sunday, Tre Norwood would be in store for another start at safety.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Not practicing Thursday
Rotowire
Fitzpatrick (knee) did not participate during the Steelers' practice Thursday, Chris Adamski of The Tribune-Review reports.
Fitzpatrick did not practice Wednesday or Thursday with a lingering knee injury that kept him limited for the first two practices of last week. The starting free safety was ultimately able to play in Week 5 despite this issue, but his health may have taken a step back since this contest. Fitzpatrick will have one more practice to improve his status before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay; otherwise, Tre Norwood and Miles Killebrew may have to take on bigger roles in Pittsburgh's secondary.
