The Pittsburgh Steelers have been without their veteran secondary defender, Minkah Fitzpatrick, for the last two games.
The Steelers could really use him for what’s ahead — back-to-back divisional matchups — but it might not be in the cards.
As usual, with injuries this early in the week before they’ve even practiced, Fitzpatrick’s availability and quality of work this week will determine his game status for Sunday’s brawl with the Cleveland Browns.
Fitzpatrick went down with a hamstring injury in the Jacksonville Jaguars game.
Former Steelers tackle Chris Hoke believes the team will take a cautious approach. “Unless they fall apart in these next two games, they’re going to slow play this,” he said on the KDKA Nightly Sports Call after the Packers win.
Hamstrings are tricky injuries that can easily be re-aggravated, as seen with Pat Freiermuth, especially in the cold months of the season.
“They want Minkah to be around in December and January, rolling into the playoffs. You’re not going to force him into that lineup right now when he can have an opportunity to reinjure that hamstring. You can see him maybe holding out a bit longer.”
Tomlin says Minkah Fitzpatrick's practice availability will determine availability for Sunday.
Feels like a 50/50 chance Fitzpatrick will play vs. Browns.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 14, 2023
