Minkah Fitzpatrick reveals plans to play in Steelers' Wild Card game vs. Bills
The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to have safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for Sunday’s Wild Card round matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The safety told reporters himself on Thursday that he will play in the win-or-go-home game after finally returning to practice this week.
Fitzpatrick missed the last three games of the regular season due to a knee injury. His absence forced Tomlin to scramble his secondary. He was questionable for Steelers-Ravens, but didn’t play. Now, after returning to practice in limited fashion on Wednesday, the safety is expected to be full-go for Sunday.
Fitzpatrick earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection last week, despite only playing in 10 games this season due to injuries. He has recorded 64 tackles (43 solo) one tackle for loss and three passes defensed this season.
Pittsburgh will receive a major boost in the secondary with Fitzpatricks’ return, but also, the team announced Damontae Kazee‘s return from IR on Wednesday. Before a three-game suspension from the NFL to end the season, Kazee had 61 tackles and two interceptions. Back on the 53-man roster, the safety has the opportunity to help lift Pittsburgh over the Bills this weekend.
The Steelers travel to face the Bills on Sunday. The kickoff, set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS, is the first of three amid Sunday’s Wild Card action. After Pittsburgh-Buffalo, the Cowboys will host the Packers, then the Lions will host the Rams.
TJ Watt out for Steelers with sprained MCL
Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Steelers star T.J. Watt is out for Pittsburgh’s playoff game against the Bills. Watt sprained his MCL during the Steelers 17-10 win over the Ravens, a victory that helped clinch the wildcard berth.
Prior to injury on Sunday, the former Wisconsin star notched his second sack of the game Sunday against Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. That was good enough to give him the league lead with 19 sacks. The achievement made NFL history. It’s the third time in his career that Watt won the NFL sack title. No other player in league history has led the league in sacks three times. The NFL has maintained sack stats since 1982.
In other Steelers news, Tomlin announced that Mason Rudolph will remain the starting quarterback. Rudolph, who began the season as the third-string QB, started the last three games, all wins. Kenny Pickett now is healthy after surgery for a high ankle sprain. But Tomlin is sticking with the hot hand.
On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.