Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick could return to practice this week ahead of a visit from the Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) is helped after getting shaken up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) fumbles the ball out of bounds as he is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive back Elijah Molden, left, and cornerback Kristian Fulton, behind, during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could return to practice this week ahead from a visit from Green Bay.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday there鈥檚 a chance Fitzpatrick could test out the hamstring he injured in the first quarter of a loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 29.
鈥淢inkah is improving,鈥� Tomlin said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l see what the week holds for him and see if there鈥檚 a potential for availability of the latter part of the week.鈥�
Pittsburgh (5-3) moved veteran Patrick Peterson to safety in Fitzpatrick鈥檚 absence and also moved other members of the secondary around. The Steelers did not allow a passing touchdown in a win over Tennessee on Thursday and picked off Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis in the final minute to seal it.
Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a serious left knee injury against the Titans. Tomlin said he will likely lean heavily on Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts with Holcomb out.
The three linebackers had been working in a rotation, which Tomlin called 鈥渟omewhat of a luxury.鈥� Second-year linebacker Mark Robinson should see an uptick in playing time, but Tomlin stressed the snap count won鈥檛 be split three ways the way it essentially was when Holcomb was in the lineup.
Tomlin also downplayed second-year wide receiver George Pickens鈥� curious actions on social media after the victory, when he briefly deleted all of his Steelers-related content and unfollowed the team鈥檚 account as well as the accounts of several teammates (moves which were later rectified for the most part).
鈥淚 know it鈥檚 a cute story for you (the media), but it is a pebble in my shoe, to be quite honest with you, in terms of the things that I have to do in an effort to get this group ready to play this week,鈥� Tomlin said.
Pickens has just three receptions over the past two weeks after Diontae Johnson returned to the lineup after missing more than a month with a right hamstring injury. The talented 6-foot-4 Pickens caught just two passes for minus-1 yard against the Titans and failed to get a second foot down on what would have been a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett has praised Pickens鈥� efforts for drawing double teams, which opens up opportunities for other players, Johnson most notably.
Tomlin echoed those sentiments.
鈥淲e appreciate (Pickens鈥�) talents and we respect what people do to minimize his talents,鈥� Tomlin said. 鈥淲e function as a collective. And there are some benefits for our collective when people make the type of commitment that they made recently to try to minimize his impact on the game.鈥�