Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said on Thursday he is playing for the team’s Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday and that he feels “110” percent, less than a month after suffering a left knee injury.
Fitzpatrick suffered the injury in the second quarter of the team’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 16.
Fitzpatrick returned to practice last week, and was listed as questionable ahead of the team’s regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday, but Fitzpatrick said the club wanted to wait until he was fully healthy for him to return.
“I wasn’t 110,’” Fitzpatrick said. “They kind of made the decision to sit me down. … go out there and make it 10 times worse. I think I could have played, you know what I’m saying? I always think that. But they made the executive decision to sit me down.”
Fitzpatrick’s return will provide a gigantic boost to a defense that has been dominated by injuries. Fitzpatrick has previously dealt with a hamstring injury and a broken hand. Cam Heyward had surgery to repair a groin injury, and now T.J. Watt will miss the team’s playoff game against the Bills.
RESULT: Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick Played Through Unbelievable Injury vs. Cardinals
“Obviously, we’re upset that T.J. is not out there with us, but we’ve still got a job to do. Having most of our pieces back is big for us. We can do more, be more fluid, have chemistry. I think we’re in a good place. … We’ve been winning games, playing at a high level, stacking good performances. What you’re feeling is a result of that.”
In addition to Fitzpatrick, the Steelers are also getting fellow safety Damontae Kazee back from a suspension this week. In addition to Watt, safeties Trenton Thompson and Keanu Neal are on the injured reserve and will not play this week.More must-reads: