Mike Tomlin leaving light on for Minkah Fitzpatrick's return against Cardinals
Mike Tomlin isn’t predicting a return to the lineup for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick this weekend when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Arizona Cardinals at Acrisure Stadium.
Tomlin, though, sounded optimistic about Fitzpatrick, who has missed four games with a hamstring injury, getting back on the practice field this week. At his weekly press conference Tuesday, Tomlin said Fitzpatrick will participate “at some level” Wednesday when the Steelers begin on-field preparations for the Cardinals.
Tomlin offered the same prognosis for nose tackle Montravius Adams, who has missed three games with an ankle injury.
“We’ve got the light on for (Fitzpatrick and Adams) this week,” he said.
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III sustained an ankle injury late Sunday in the Steelers’ 16-10 victory at Cincinnati, but Tomlin sounded upbeat about Austin’s condition.
“It looks significantly better,” he said, adding that Austin may be limited in practice early in the week.
Tomlin added quarterback Kenny Pickett to the injury list with ankle “discomfort” that may limit him in practice as well.
“We like where we are from a health standpoint,” Tomlin said.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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