Minkah Fitzpatrick remains out of Steelers practice, Kenny Pickett back to full participation
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The prospects of All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returning for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ regular-season finale look considerably more bleak after Fitzpatrick sat out Tuesday’s practice.
Fitzpatrick has missed the past two games because of a knee injury, but coach Mike Tomlin left the door open that he could return for Saturday’s game at the Baltimore Ravens. Fitzpatrick, though, did not take part in Tuesday’s walkthrough-like practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, according to the league-mandated injury report.
The only other player on the active roster to sit out Tuesday was starting inside linebacker Elandon Roberts, who is expected to miss a second consecutive game because of a pectoral injury.
For the first time since undergoing “tightrope surgery” on an ankle injured during a Dec. 3 game, quarterback Kenny Pickett was regarded as a full practice participant Tuesday. Pickett is on track to back up Mason Rudolph on Saturday.
Four other starting-caliber players were listed as limited practice participants: defensive lineman Cam Heyward (groin), left guard Isaac Seumalo (shoulder), running back Najee Harris (knee) and safety Trenton Thompson (neck). All but Thompson have been dealing with their respective injuries for several weeks but have not missed any games.
Thompson has missed the past two games and said last week that he expected to miss the game in Baltimore, too. Tomlin, however, has not yet ruled him out.
With Fitzpatrick, Thompson, Keanu Neal (on injured reserve) and Damontae Kazee (suspension) out, the Steelers the past two games have started converted cornerback Patrick Peterson and recent practice-squad signee Eric Rowe at safety.
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