Minkah Fitzpatrick out, George Pickens will return for Steelers vs. Bengals
Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss another game, with the Steelers safety still not completely healed from a hamstring injury.
However, receiver George Pickens was back at practice the past two days, after missing Wednesday’s workout with a shin injury.
The Steelers are preparing for their game against the Bengals this Sunday. Cincinnati will be starting Jake Browning at quarterback for the first time after losing Joe Burrow for the season in their last game. But it’s not a given that Pittsburgh will win this game. Last Sunday, the Steelers lost 13-10 to the Browns. Cleveland started rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback in place of an injured Deshaun Watson.
Fitzpatrick hasn’t played since Oct. 29. That’s when he strained his hamstring, which is a very fickle tendon. Coach Mike Tomlin said in early November that Fitzpatrick would start practicing. But according to the team’s daily injury reports, he hasn’t been back in action.
Pickens was a surprise entry on the injury list this week. Tomlin didn’t mention him when the coach provided an injury update at his Monday press conference. Meanwhile, the Steelers also ruled out defensive tackle Montravius Adams (ankle).
Pittsburgh Steelers final injury report before Bengals
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Pickens | WR | Shin | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Patrick Peterson | CB | NIR – Resting | DNP | (-) | (-) | |
| Levi Wallace | DB | NIR – Resting | DNP | (-) | (-) | |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | FS | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| James Pierre | CB | Shoulder | LP | LP | DNP | Questionable |
| Nick Herbig | LB | Hamstring | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Montravius Adams | DT | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Out |
| Isaac Seumalo | G | NIR – Resting | DNP | (-) | (-) | |
| Cameron Heyward | DT | NIR – Resting/Groin | DNP | LP | LP | (-) |
Cincinnati Bengals injury report
| Joe Burrow | QB | Right Wrist | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Tee Higgins | WR | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| D.J. Reader | DE | NIR – Illness | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Cam Taylor-Britt | CB | Quad | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Akeem Davis-Gaither | LB | Knee | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
| B.J. Hill | DT | Knee | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Sam Hubbard | DE | Ankle | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Andrei Iosivas | WR | Knee | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Chase Brown | RB | Hamstring | FP | FP | FP | Questionable |
| Trenton Irwin | WR | Hip | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Cameron Sample | DE | Knee | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Jonah Williams | OT | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| D’Ante Smith | OT | Knee | (-) | LP | DNP | Doubtful |
| Germaine Pratt | LB | Illness | (-) | (-) | DNP | Questionable |