The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) have officially ruled out star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) for their Week 10 home matchup against the Green Bay Packers (3-5) this Sunday.
Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, however, will suit up and play. Heyward (groin) was a limited participant in practice this week.
Steelers Friday injury report
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) – DNP
LB Elandon Roberts (knee) – Full
LB Nick Herbig (calf) – Limited
DT Montravius Adams Sr. (ankle) – DNP
DL Cameron Heyward (groin) – Limited
Fitzpatrick, who missed three straight days of practice this week, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury he sustained in the 20-10 Week 8 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2). The three-time All-Pro leads the Steelers with 54 tackles (37 solo).
“We obviously still don’t know how long Mink will be out,” cornerback Patrick Peterson said, via the team’s website. “We all know that he’s the soul and the heartbeat of the secondary. Wish him nothing but the best. But he’s in the meeting room with us each and every day, he’s on the sideline, communicating with guys, helping guys understand what positions they need to be in, and certain calls, certain concepts to look for.
“He’s around each and every day helping the guys that are stepping in for his position like me, [Damontae] Kazee and Keanu [Neal].”
Minkah Fitzpatrick working to get back in Steelers’ lineup
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said that Fitzpatrick is “chomping at the bit” to get back.
“He’s been working, he’s been running, he’s been doing some things,” Austin said. “He’s always around… The nice thing with Minkah is he’s got a routine, and that routine hasn’t changed one bit since the injury.”
He added: “For guys that are great competitors like him who don’t miss, it’s a tough situation, and he’s chomping at the bit to get back. Obviously when he’s ready and healthy, we’ll get him out there.”
Heyward made his return to the lineup for the 20-16 Week 9 win over the Tennessee Titans (3-5). The 34-year-old had been on injured reserve since tearing his abductor muscle in Week 1. Heyward, in his 13th season with the Steelers, remains a highly productive player, earning his sixth Pro Bowl nomination last season. He has compiled 78.5 sacks, 620 tackles (383 solo), 177 quarterback hits and eight forced fumbles in 185 games (150 starts).
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