The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 7-4 in Week 12 with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite absences from several key players, the defense was able to get the job done. Most notably, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been out since Week 8 with a hamstring injury. The secondary has stepped up in his absence, as guys like Trenton Thompson have been able to establish themselves.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been asked to step up in the absence of superstar teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The team elevated the young defensive back from the practice squad to the active roster weeks ago, and he's made a name for himself. That included a key interception against the Bengals on Sunday, which led to a comeback victory against the division rival. When speaking to the media after Sunday's victory, via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, veteran safety Damontae Kazee admitted that Fitzpatrick will be back for Week 13.
"Shoot, we know Minkah comes back this week. A lot of us ain't gonna be playing in those spots," Kazee said.
Things could still change, but this certainly gives optimism that he will be back this week. It'll be important to pay attention to Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin's press conference on Tuesday. He always gives an injury update on his players, so that will be a time in which he'll update Fitzpatrick's status. Next weekend would mark five weeks since the star injured his hamstring, which would be an accurate timeline for his recovery.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (#39) has become one of the best in the NFL at his position, so his return in Week 13 will be huge for the defense.
When Fitzpatrick does return, it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff divvies up the other snaps at safety. In Fitzpatrick's absence, Kazee has played 100% of the defense's snaps over the last four weeks. That will come down a little bit presumably, but he'll continue to be a starter. On the flip side, Thompson has proved that he deserves playing time moving forward.
Who Will The Steelers Start Alongside Fitzpatrick?
Thompson has seen a total of 100 defensive snaps over the last two weeks, including 97.7% in Week 12. Pro Football Focus has graded him exceptionally with an 82.2 overall grade, highlighted by his coverage skills. Keanu Neal was placed on IR over a week ago, which has also helped open up a spot for Thompson. While Fitzpatrick and Kazee will man a majority of the snaps moving forward, Neal's absence will allow Thompson to see the field in subpackages.
If Fitzpatrick does indeed return in Week 13, it'll be the first time since Week 1 that the Steelers get their superstar trio of Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, and TJ Watt all in the lineup. That should bode well for the defense, as they have been able to remain one of the better units in football. Fitzpatrick hasn't been his usual dominant self in 2023, as he's yet to record an interception, sack, or forced fumble in seven contests.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
For the first time since Week 1, the Steelers will have their superstar defensive trio fully healthy in Week 13 against the Cardinals.
For the first two months of the season, his role was vastly different than it has been in the past though. As everyone knows, he's at his best when he's able to roam around on the back end and make plays. Fitzpatrick should be able to return to his natural free safety role, which will hopefully open things up for him. Additionally, he will obviously bring leadership and communication to the secondary. Just a week ago, Fitzpatrick had to be separated from wideout Diontae Johnson after an argument in the locker room.
How big of an addition will Fitzpatrick be to the lineup? How do you think the coaching staff will divvy up the remaining snaps at safety? Do you think Thompson has earned himself a significant role moving forward? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites below, yinz!
#SteelerNation
