Pittsburgh Steelers defense moves closer to full strength with return of TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick
PITTSBURGH – After playing without some key members of their defense a week ago, Pittsburgh Steelers defense will be close to full strength against Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
TJ Watt, who missed last Sunday’s loss Los Angeles charger, there was no indication of injury in the final practice report. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick good to go after a 10 day stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list. While, Joe Haden, who also missed the game Chargers, is a question.
“I’m really pleased about that,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said on Thursday. “The ability to get other people back, that’s always helpful. Last time we played with them, we also failed a few. Having those people come back and be able to play and things. It means a lot to us. It means a lot to everyone on the pitch because they’ve gotten to know each other.”
Watt, who missed the Week 3 loss to the Bengals with a groin injury, injured his knee and hip in the 4th round match against Detroit Lion two weeks ago, while Haden sprained his leg in a similar match.
‘Just had a weird roll up and the knee felt a bit unsettled at the time,’ Watt said. “I was on my feet, and when I got up, I realized that I had a lot of discomfort in my hips, couldn’t reach high and a lot of stuff, and felt discomfort in both my knees and hips.
“And luckily, it’s nothing too serious, and I feel a lot better this week.”
Watt was a full participant in Friday practice after being capped all week, while Haden missed Wednesday but was limited to Thursday and Friday. Fitzpatrick returned to training on Thursday.
“When you have 10 days when you can’t train, you think you’re in a bad shape, but I came back yesterday to do my first training session and I feel fine,” Fitzpatrick said. Friday. few or no symptoms other than headache. “There’s no running struggle, no breathing struggle, nothing like it. I feel good.”
For Fitzpatrick, missing Sunday’s game was a rarity.
“It was my first missed game since I entered the tournament, and it was so different just to watch, especially a game so important for us on Sunday night against a team. great,” he said.
While the trio stayed at home watching the Steelers defense try to keep up Justin Herbert and Chargers offense, they lean on each other in a group chat.
“It sucks,” Watt said of not playing. “It sucks to text Minkah and Joe all the way through the last game because you see all the effort the boys are putting in and trying to ignite the team with guys like Orange Sutton and Cam Heyward. It sucks when you know you can help, but I’m not strong enough to help. It’s a feeling of helplessness, but at the same time, it’s motivating to come back and be as healthy as possible so I can start impacting the games again. “
