There is mostly positive news on the Pittsburgh Steelers injury front, as the report has been released for Friday. Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (appendicitis) once again practiced fully on Friday, his second consecutive day of doing so. He will play on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, although he told reporters that the incision from the surgery is a slight concern. That's quite impressive for a guy that had surgery just a few days ago.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
In fact, he wasn't even listed on the injury report. If you remember that Week 1 win over the Bengals, Fitzpatrick had one of his best career games. Along with 14 total tackles and a pass deflection, he had a game-changing pick-six off Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow. He laid the boom on multiple occasions as well, displaying his physicality.
No injury designation for Minkah Fitzpatrick. He’s playing against the Bengals a week after having his appendix removed.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 18, 2022
Reminder: docs told him initially it would take 10 days-2 weeks to recover. pic.twitter.com/QPQJ3DcN0o
Everyone who practiced fully on Thursday, including Fitzpatrick, practiced fully again on Friday. That list includes linebackers Marcus Allen (illness) and Devin Bush (knee), running back Najee Harris (knee), and backup offensive lineman Trent Scott (back). It's good to see Harris practicing both days, as head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned in his weekly press conference on Tuesday that his running back was dealing with a sore knee.
Ahkello Witherspoon's hamstring continues to hold him back, as he's the only active player that will miss this weekend's matchup. Witherspoon has been plagued by this injury for awhile now, as hamstring injuries typically plague a player's mobility for longer than expected. Pittsburgh hasn't had all three of their starting corners from the beginning of the year healthy in awhile, as that's been the most banged up part of the team this year.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
With Witherspoon out and William Jackson III on IR, Arthur Maulet will continue to see the field a decent bit. Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace, who have dealt with their fair share of injuries in 2022, are fully healthy and ready to go thankfully. Backup lineman Jesse Davis, who popped up on the team's injury report on Thursday with a back issue, practiced fully.
Kevin Dotson (hip), Larry Ogunjobi (knee), and TJ Watt (pectoral) all practiced fully on Friday. Knock on wood, Pittsburgh's offensive line has stayed relatively healthy this season. Myles Jack will also return to action against the Bengals this weekend. Pittsburgh will have a fully healthy squad, minus Witherspoon and DeMarvin Leal, who will remain on IR for now.
Which of these guys will provide the biggest boost to the lineup? Can the defense get it done if Fitzpatrick is unable to go? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below, yinz!
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