Steelers expect Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. Watt, Joe Haden to play vs. Bengals
Down four crucial defensive players for their Week 11 "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Pittsburgh Steelers saw second-year quarterback Justin Herbert erupt for 382 passing yards and three touchdowns, as well as nine rushes for 90 yards, in a 41-37 road defeat. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said that he expects the entire quartet of players to be back in action in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fitzpatrick, Watt and Haden have combined for eight Pro Bowl honors and four First-Team All-Pro nods, while Loudermilk is a fifth-round rookie for the Steelers. Even with his missed game against the Chargers, Watt still leads the team in sacks with 12.5 — a total that trails only Myles Garrett (13) for the NFL lead.
Watt also has double the number of quarterbacks hits than anybody else on the Steelers with 20 and leads the group in tackles for a loss and forced fumbles at 13 three respectively as well.
Fitzpatrick is second on the squad with 64 tackles, while Haden is tied for second on the squad with five passes defended. In eight games as a rookie, Loudermilk has recorded seven tackles, one pass defended and one sack.
The Steelers and Bengals are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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