Steelers Superstar Minkah Fitzpatrick Returns To 2023 Training Camp

The missed time should not have too much of an impact on Fitzpatrick's season, as many players across the league, including players on the Steelers, miss training camp time for many reasons and they eventually come back strong. Fitzpatrick immediately started camp on the JUGS machine, making sure he can keep his ball-hawk form. 

Steelers Replacements For Fitzpatrick During His Absence

With Fitzpatrick gone, the Steelers had to find other players to step up on the first-team unit. One of the players to do so was Patrick Peterson, who was rumored to be playing in the Cameron Sutton-like role with the team once he was officially signed back in March. While he's played nearly every single snap of his career at outside cornerback, Peterson is looking to reinvent himself as a defensive back that can play every position in the secondary. This past stretch was the perfect time to do so. 

Kazee's teammate, Keanu Neal, was also an option, but he has been sidelined with an injury over the last few days. Neal and Damontae Kazee (who is also currently sidelined), have plenty of chemistry together, as they were teammates with both the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys before taking a year away from each other in 2022. Once both Kazee and Neal get healthy, the Steelers will have a high-end rotation of safeties.

The Steelers also had some depth pieces rotate at safety. Kenny Robinson, Miles Killebrew and Tre Norwood might be competing for the last spot at safety, so getting first-team reps could help their case to stay on the team. There have been other young backups looking for their chance to make it, including guys like Elijah Riley, Duke Dawson, and the flurry of safeties coming in to try out for the team. With Fitzpatrick coming back, all their reps at first-team safety will be all but diminished. 

While there is a lot of uncertainty in many aspects of Fitzpatrick's absence, one thing that's certain; Steeler Nation is happy to have him back. Hopefully, whatever situation that Fitzpatrick had to deal with has been taken care of, and he can focus on being the best safety in football, helping to lead his team to their first playoff win in a long time. No matter who backs him up and who he plays alongside on each play, it's great to have him back on the field.