The Pittsburgh Steelers just got done with their first team practice of the week on Wednesday and with that came good news. According to Brooke Pryor (X: @bepryor), Star free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned to practice as a full participant for the first time in over a month. Fitzpatrick has missed the last four games for the Steelers after suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter of the Steelers' Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick (#39) warms up on the field at St. Vincent College prior to a 2022 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Fitzpatrick wasn't the only one who had the green light on Wednesday. Second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett was also a full participant at practice. This is coming despite the comments made by Head Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday during his weekly presser.
Another player that finally returned to Steelers practice was nose tackle Montravius Adams. Adams, who has been sidelined the last three weeks, seems to be finally healed from his nagging ankle injury. Having Adams back will finally allow the defensive front to open their full rotation back up.
A new injury did pop up though for the Steelers following Sunday's victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. Speedy wide receiver Calvin Austin III suffered a banged up ankle mid-game. Austin did not practice on Wednesday and the Steelers also signed free agent wide receiver Jacob Copeland to the practice squad on Tuesday. This will be Copeland's second stint with the Steelers. Austin's injury will be one to watch since the team did go ahead and sign a receiver two days after Austin was injured.
Associated Press
Steelers' Calvin Austin III breaks away for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 of the 2023 season.
Two veterans made their way onto the injury report with two designations. Those veterans are defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and wide receiver Allen Robinson. Heyward is dealing with a minor groin injury, but also took Wednesday off as a rest day. Robinson is dealing with a minor foot injury and also took Wednesday off as a rest day. The Steelers tend to do this with their older players on Wednesdays just to give them more time to heal. We shouldn't be too worried about either injuries.
The final people to land on the injury list were other veterans who had rest days, cornerback Patrick Peterson and offensive guard Isaac Seumalo.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Isaac Seumalo (#73) takes part in drills during the team's OTA sessions in Pittsburgh, PA.
How Will The Steelers Defense Look With The Return Of Fitzpatrick?
With the return of their star free safety Fitzpatrick, the Steelers defense will just continue to get better. With a player like Fitzpatrick returning, you now have another leader on the back end of the defense to help the players who are filling in for injury. The question that looms now, is what will happen to guys such as Trenton Thompson.
We now can expect Fitzpatrick to take back the starting role at safety with Damontae Kazee playing alongside him. Therefore, players like Miles Killebrew and Thompson will most likely see the field less than they did before.
What are your thoughts on the return of guys like Fitzpatrick and Adams? Click to comment below!
#SteelerNation
