Steelers lose star S Minkah Fitzpatrick for game vs. Saints because of appendectomy

We have:
• Activated LB T.J. Watt to the active roster
• Downgraded S Minkah Fitzpatrick (appendix) to out for Sunday’s game
• Placed CB Will Jackson on the Reserve/Injured List
• Elevated S Elijah Riley to the Active/Inactive roster @BordasLaw https://t.co/yMqqYQsHrM

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 12, 2022

This is a stunner: The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Saturday that star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will not play in Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints after he underwent an emergency appendectomy. Fitzpatrick, who turns 26 next week, has been one of Pittsburgh’s best defenders on the year so far, and he’ll be missed. He’s totaled three interceptions (returning one of them 34 yards for a touchdown), six passes defensed, 45 tackles (28 solo), and a quarterback hit through seven games.

But it’s one stud defender exiting while another steps in, because the Steelers activated outside linebacker T.J. Watt from injured reserve on Saturday. He’s been out since suffering a pectoral injury in Week 1. His old Wisconsin Badgers teammate Ryan Ramczyk will have his hands full blocking Watt from the right tackle spot, which becomes an even bigger concern given New Orleans will be without center Erik McCoy and left guard Andrus Peat, who are both injured.