Minkah Fitzpatrick suffers knee injury vs. Colts, ruled questionable to return

Minkah Fitzpatrick left Saturday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts with a knee injury. He immediately headed to the injury tent after he attempted to tackle Alec Pierce on an incomplete pass.

As Fitzpatrick went to lay a hit on Pierce, he collided with teammate Patrick Peterson and immediately grabbed his leg. While NFL Network headed to commercial, Fitzpatrick went to the injury tent and the team said he was questionable to return.

Then, after briefly coming back out, Fitzpatrick headed back to the locker room. After halftime, the Steelers ruled him out.

“As the Steelers defense remains on the field, Minkah Fitzpatrick has been ruled questionable to return with a knee injury,” NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl said on the broadcast. “He’s out of the tent and he’s trying to get it to work on the sideline.”

Fitzpatrick has been a key piece of the Steelers defense this year, which is a huge reason why Pittsburgh is 7-6 this year despite its struggles on offense. He has 64 tackles and a tackle for loss across nine games this year, but still has yet to record an interception after pulling down a career-high six picks last year.

Fitzpatrick’s injury came one play after fellow safety Damontae Kazee was ejected for a hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman. That also resulted in a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.

Mike Tomlin on if Steelers vs. Colts is a must-win game: ‘I have that mindset every week’

Saturday’s game is a big one for the Steelers, who are coming off back-to-back losses to two-win teams. Pittsburgh is fighting for its playoff life as it looks to stay “in the hunt,” and Mike Tomlin understands how big the matchup with Indianapolis is.

As for whether it’s a “must-win,” though, Tomlin said every week fits that description.

“I know what you mean, but man, I have that mindset every week,” Tomlin said, via Steelers.com. “I do. I’ve just been in it so long. I know the urgency of the 17 weekends and the opportunities. I understand exactly what you mean. There are direct ramifications in terms of who walks out of his bowl successful and who doesn’t.

“But just from a mindset standpoint, I think those of us who have been in this business for any length of time carry that urgency week in and week out.”

After starting the year 7-4, the Steelers fell to the Arizona Cardinals 24-10 and the New England Patriots 21-18 to drop to 7-6 — and their playoff hopes are fleeting. They had a lead in the first half against Indianapolis, but the Colts stormed back to take a 14-13 lead just prior to halftime.