Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in concussion protocol

Already missing All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt with an injury, the Steelers could be without safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is in the concussion protocol, head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

The timeline of the injury is murky because Fitzpatrick didn't leave the 29-17 loss against the Browns in Week 3. Tomlin didn't clarify if Fitzpatrick would miss Sunday's game against the Jets.

"I'm not ready to suggest that at this point. I'm just acknowledging that he's in the protocol," said Tomlin in a Tuesday news conference. 

Fitzpatrick might be able to play if he can pass an independent medical exam, per NBC Sports. If he fails this exam, he'd sit out the game.

This would be another costly blow to a shorthanded unit. 

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Watt is on IR after suffering a pectoral injury Week 1. He may not return until Week 8. The Steelers are 0-6 without Watt since he entered the league in 2017. 

Fitzpatrick leads the Steelers in interceptions with two. 

"Minkah is a leader in that secondary," defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said recently. "A lot of people sleep on what he's capable of doing."

The passing game of the Jets (1-2) presents a challenge. It's the No. 5 unit in the NFL (286 yards per game), besting the league average of 231.1. They accomplished this with backup quarterback Joe Flacco. 

On Sunday, the Steelers might see starter Zach Wilson, who has been cleared to play, per Jets head coach Robert Saleh.